Chiedozie Ogbene joins Premier League newcomers Ipswich

Chieodozie Ogbene is a Premier League footballer once again after joining Ipswich on a four-year deal from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.

The Douglas native returns to the English top flight after making 30 appearances for the Hatters last season and scoring four goals.

Ogbene started the year playing for Luton in the EFL Championship, and he made three appearances for the Hatters.

The winger is the latest Republic of Ireland senior international to join Ipswich and he follows in the footsteps of Dara O’Shea, who joined from Burnley, and Sammie Szmodics, who was recruited from Blackburn Rovers.

Marcus Harness, a member of the Ipswich team that won promotion last year, is a popular figure at Portman Road and his mother comes from Cork.

“I’m very excited and feel lucky to have this opportunity to play in the Premier League again,” Ogbene told Ipswich’s club media team.

“I’ve had very positive chats with the manager and for someone to believe in me that I could play at this level again means a lot to me and my family.

I know what he wants from me and the role I will play and I’m here to be a positive addition to the squad as we look to achieve our goals.

“It’s an opportunity I had to grab with both hands and I can’t wait to be involved as soon as possible,” he added.

Ogbene was a member of the Luton team which finished 18th last season and was relegated after one year in the English top flight.

The high point for the winger was at Anfield when he scored to give Luton the lead against a title-chasing Liverpool side.

That was one of many moments during a memorable season for the winger, who started out with Tramore Athletic in the Cork Schoolboys League.

Ogbene’s breakthrough season in England was in 2021-22 as he helped Rotherham United win promotion to League One and the EFL Trophy by defeating Sutton United at Wembley Stadium.

The winger actually scored in the final and that gave his side a 3-2 lead midway through the first half of extra-time.

Ogbene has used his time in England to become an experienced Republic of Ireland international, with 20 caps and four goals in his collection. He also received a Player of the Match award for his performance during a 1-0 defeat to a star-studded France team at the Aviva Stadium.

This is a long way from the winger’s run for the Cork City academy, which included a historic victory over HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Youth League. Ogbene also came on as a substitute in the 2016 FAI Cup final and he helped the Rebel Army defeat Dundalk 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium.