One of the coups of the Tractor Boys’ transfer window was bringing back the combative midfielder for a second season.
Jens Cajuste made 33 appearances for Ipswich Town on loan from Napoli last season amid their relegation from the top flight under Kieran McKenna.
However, given the Swede’s impression at Portman Road, Ipswich moved to re-sign Cajuste this summer from the Italian giants.
Ipswich agreed a deal to sign Cajuste ahead of fellow suitors Besiktas, and he returned before the Championship curtain-raiser at Birmingham City.
Cajuste was keen to return to Ipswich despite their relegation, and now the central midfielder has revealed why he “always” wanted to come back to the Suffolk outfit.
Why Jens Cajuste always wanted Ipswich Town return
After Ipswich held talks with Hayden Hackney and Besiktas pushed to sign Cajuste, the two parties returned towards the end of the window.
Ipswich have shelled out an £870k loan fee to Napoli, with an obligation to buy for £5.6m if Cajuste and his Tractor Boys teammates win promotion back to the Premier League this term.
The Swedish international midfielder has now revealed why he “was always keen on coming back to Ipswich” for the 2025/26 season and beyond in the event of promotion.
Cajuste told the East Anglian Daily Times: “I kept the key to my apartment here just in case, and, yeah, it turned out pretty okay.
“It was a bit of a hectic summer, I’d say, with rumours here and there. I leave most of the transfer business to my agent and try to stay out of it as much as possible.
“There were a few clubs interested and it’s true that I was always keen on coming back to Ipswich.
“I think it’s well known that I had a great time here in the town, enjoyed not only the team and the coaching staff but also the city. So it felt like a very natural move for me.
“The club culture in general is something that I hold very dearly. I think it’s very welcoming, very family-oriented, and that’s something I really appreciate.
“I think it (the transfer) took a bit longer than both parties had expected, but I’m glad it worked out in the end. I’m really excited, really happy.”
Jens Cajuste reveals Azor Matusiwa factor in Ipswich Town return
Not only did the Tractor Boys bolster their midfield ranks with Cajuste, Ipswich signed Azor Matusiwa from Rennes for a fee estimated to be in the region of £10m.
Cajuste outlined that another reason he was keen on returning to Ipswich was to rekindle his midfield partnership with Matusiwa, who he featured alongside for two seasons at French top flight side Reims between 2021 and 2023.
On Matusiwa, Cajuste said: “He’s a good, good footballer, very tough in the duels, hard worker, and suits the style of play here very well.
“And as a person, I think he suits the group as well. He’s very laid-back and humble. Just a nice guy, I’d say. Nothing but praise.
“It’s been a while since we’ve played together, so naturally it’s going to take a few games maybe to get back in full chemistry.
“But, yeah, I think it’s an advantage that we had that prior relationship and know each other, so it should be up to speed quicker, I think.”
With Ipswich fans unconvinced by Matusiwa since his arrival, McKenna will be hoping that his former Reims teammate can help him showcase his best form throughout the season, starting with the upcoming trip to Blackburn Rovers.
