Ipswich Town have announced the signing of Paraguay international Julio Enciso on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 21-year-old will spend the rest of this season at Portman Road and it is understood that the Tractor Boys do not have an option to buy the attacker in the summer.
Enciso becomes Kieran McKenna's third signing of the January transfer window after defender Ben Godfrey and winger Jaden Philogene, and he could be available to make his Ipswich debut away against Liverpool on Saturday.
"I am so happy to be here," Enciso told TownTV. "The conversations with the manager have been good. I am very grateful to him and the club for believing in me. I can't wait to get going. I'm a real fighter and I will do my best in every game.
"It's clear what I want to achieve - stay in the Premier League, win games and play the great football the manager and fans want to see. Hopefully I can help and learn from all my teammates.
"Of course I am happy to be here and I will give my best on the pitch."
Welcome to Town, Julio Enciso. 🙌🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/Ii9o65Un9F
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) January 23, 2025
Hurzeler: 'Enciso move to Ipswich the right one for all concerned'
Enciso joins an Ipswich side who are currently fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League, as they sit 18th in the table and level on points with Wolverhampton Wanderers hovering just above the bottom three.
The attacker has opted to leave Brighton on a temporary basis in search of regular first-team football after starting only two of his 12 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls this season.
Explaining Enciso's loan exit, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler told the club's website: "Julio wants to play regularly, and that is not something we can guarantee with so many options in our attacking positions.
"Ipswich have offered Julio the possibility of more regular game time, and the move is the right one for all concerned.
"We will keep a close eye on his progress as the season continues, and we wish him well for his time with Ipswich."
Since joining Brighton in 2022 from Paraguayan side Libertad, Enciso has made 57 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals, including a memorable strike against Manchester City in 2022-23 that was voted Premier League Goal of the Season and nominated for the Puskas award.
Oliver Thomas
