Long-Term Commitment Confirmed as Enciso Completes Permanent Move
Ipswich Town have officially confirmed the permanent acquisition of Paraguayan international playmaker Julio Enciso from French outfit RC Strasbourg. While the transfer fee remains undisclosed, the 21-year-old attacker has penned a long-term five-year contract extending through to the summer of 2031. Enciso arrives as Town’s 12th signing of an ambitious summer window following their promotion back to the Premier League.
Key to the transfer is the strong connection between Enciso and Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil, who previously managed the player during his stint in France last season. Speaking upon his arrival, Enciso expressed immense enthusiasm about returning to Suffolk: "I am so happy to be back at Ipswich Town. I really enjoyed my time on loan at the club and I was so happy to see them win promotion back to the Premier League last season. I worked with the manager in France last season and the chance to play for him again at a great club like Ipswich is one I'm very excited for. I can't wait to see the supporters again."
Manager Gary O'Neil echoed that enthusiasm, underlining Enciso's rare natural talent: "We are delighted to bring Julio to the club on a permanent deal. Supporters will already know what he is capable of, following his loan spell the last time we were in the Premier League, and for me I'm delighted to be working with him again after our time together at Strasbourg last season. He is a young player who is capable of creating something out of nothing and has shown that throughout his career, including at the World Cup in the summer."
Returning to Portman Road: A Bond Built on Past Success
Enciso’s return to Portman Road feels like a natural continuation of a story that began during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign. Arriving on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, the Paraguayan quickly established himself as a fan favourite over the course of 13 appearances.
Though his loan was brief, Enciso produced moments of sheer brilliance—most notably scoring a sublime long-range strike against Everton at Goodison Park and grabbing a crucial goal against Chelsea. His flair, willingness to take on defenders, and audacity from distance left a lasting impression on the Ipswich faithful.
Having forged a strong connection with the supporters and the club's culture during that spell, Enciso closely followed Town's journey to promotion. With the club now securing its place back in the top flight, both parties were eager to make the reunion permanent.
Flourishing in France: A Breakthrough Season Under O'Neil
Enciso's arrival at Ipswich comes on the back of a sensational campaign with RC Strasbourg in 2025/26, where he truly established himself as a top-tier attacking force in European football.
Registering 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions, Enciso was the talismanic presence behind Strasbourg's remarkable runs to the semi-finals of both the UEFA Conference League and the Coupe de France. His tactical evolution accelerated significantly under Gary O'Neil, who harnessed Enciso's creative freedom within a disciplined structural setup.
That shared experience in France built a deep mutual trust between manager and player. O'Neil's appointment at Portman Road made Ipswich the ideal destination for Enciso to showcase his abilities on the Premier League stage under a coach who knows exactly how to maximize his potential.
The Prodigy's Journey: From Libertad Debut to World Cup Stage
Born in Caaguazú, Paraguay, Enciso joined the youth ranks at Club Libertad at the age of 12. He broke into senior football at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest player in Libertad’s history. During his time in Asunción, he helped the club capture the 2021 and 2022 Apertura titles before earning a high-profile move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2022.
In England, Enciso announced himself in spectacular fashion. In May 2023, his thunderous long-range strike against Manchester City was voted the Premier League Goal of the Season, solidifying his reputation as a big-game player capable of extraordinary technical feats.
On the international stage, Enciso has already accumulated 37 senior caps and five goals for Paraguay. He represented his country at the 2021 Copa América, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup—where he scored the opening goal in a memorable knockout victory over Germany in Boston. With 182 senior club appearances, 40 goals, and 26 assists already to his name, Enciso possesses a level of elite experience that belies his young age.
Tactical Analysis and Impact on Ipswich Town's Campaign
From a tactical perspective, Enciso's signing provides Gary O'Neil with invaluable versatility in the attacking third. Capable of operating as a central attacking midfielder, a inverted winger on either flank, or even as a dynamic false nine, Enciso gives Ipswich the ultimate wildcard against Premier League defences.
His ability to unlock low blocks with unpredictable dribbling and long-range shooting fills a vital need for a newly promoted team aiming to turn tight matches into victories. Alongside other summer additions such as Daizen Maeda, Enciso adds a dimension of proven top-flight quality to the Town attack.
Securing Enciso as their 12th summer signing signals Ipswich Town's determination not merely to survive in the Premier League, but to establish themselves as a competitive, modern football club. Because Enciso is already familiar with O'Neil's tactical demands and knows the atmosphere at Portman Road inside out, he requires no period of adaptation. His return sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season for the Suffolk club.
