Chuba Akpom will rejoin Ajax Amsterdam at the end of the season after Lille opted not to trigger the €12.5 million clause to make his loan move permanent.
The 29-year-old Nigerian forward, who arrived in January to reinforce Lille’s frontline, departs the club after just five months.
During his short stint in Ligue 1, Akpom featured in 14 league matches and netted three goals, including a composed penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Stade de Reims.
His return to Ajax, where he is under contract until 2028, had long appeared likely.
Despite flashes of his goal-scoring instincts and solid work rate, Lille’s management ultimately decided against committing to a long-term deal.
Akpom joined Ajax in the summer of 2023 following a standout campaign with Middlesbrough in the English Championship, where he emerged as one of the league’s most prolific strikers.
His move to Amsterdam was seen as a significant step forward, but limited opportunities led to the mid-season loan switch to Lille.
In France, the striker was brought in to provide attacking depth and offer a different dynamic in the final third.
While his contributions were valuable in key moments, particularly during the club’s push for European qualification, they fell short of convincing the coaching staff and board to secure his services beyond the loan period.
Akpom’s journey began at Arsenal, where he progressed through the academy but struggled to break into the first team.
Over the years, he accumulated experience through a series of loan spells and stints abroad, including time in Greece with PAOK and in the Netherlands prior to his return to Ajax.
Lille’s decision was confirmed as part of a broader announcement this weekend, in which the club listed several departures ahead of the summer transfer window.
The move signals a renewed focus for the French side as they look to reshape their squad ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.
For Akpom, a return to Ajax offers another chance to stake his claim at one of Europe’s top clubs.
Whether he will remain in Amsterdam or explore further opportunities during the upcoming transfer window remains to be seen, but his brief chapter in Lille is now officially closed.
