Ipswich Town’s rollercoaster ride of recent years has seen the club rise from the ashes of relegation to the third tier and back to the top flight for the first time in over two decades. Despite this turbulent period, the Tractor Boys have made some significant sales, including one star who went on to win a European title.
Before we delve into the star in question, it’s worth taking a look at the two most significant sales in the club’s history. The first is England international and Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, who joined the Blues from non-league side Chippenham for £10,000 in December 2012. Over the next two-and-a-half seasons, Mings made 63 appearances for the then-Championship side before being sold on to Bournemouth in July 2015 for a fee of around £8 million, resulting in a tidy profit on the initial £10,000.
Another notable sale is that of Kieran McKenna, who became a European Champion after leaving the club. McKenna has been a key player for the Tractor Boys, making 138 appearances and scoring seven goals, with an impressive haul of 25 assists. He was eventually sold to West Ham United for a fee of around £3.95 million, a remarkable 1624% increase on his initial fee.
However, it was Aaron Cresswell who made the most lucrative sale in the club’s history. Cresswell was signed by Ipswich in 2011 and went on to make 353 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 37 assists. His impressive form eventually caught the attention of top-flight clubs, and West Ham United signed him in 2014 for a fee of £4.75 million, a whopping 1624% profit on his initial £10,000 fee.
In the decade since, Cresswell has become a legend for the Hammers, playing a crucial role in their Europa Conference League triumph. Selling Cresswell to West Ham in 2014 worked out for all parties involved, as Ipswich made a tidy profit, the Hammers picked up a loyal servant, and Cresswell became a European Champion.
Ipswich’s recent history has been a whirlwind of ups and downs, but the club has managed to secure some impressive sales, including Cresswell, McKenna, and Mings. These deals have not only brought in significant revenue but also allowed the club to build a reputation for developing and selling talented players. As the Tractor Boys look to continue their ascension up the English football pyramid, it will be interesting to see which stars will be the next to follow in the footsteps of Cresswell and McKenna.
