Chelsea confirm £22m sale of winger to Ipswich Town

Chelsea have confirmed the departure of winger Omari Hutchinson, who has completed a permanent move to Ipswich Town.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Kieran McKenna's side and, after his return of ten goals and six assists helped them seal promotion to the Premier League, admitted his desire to remain with the team.

Ipswich are understood to have agreed to pay an initial £18m for Hutchinson, with around £4m in performance-related add-ons.

As part of the negotiations, Chelsea will not have a buy-back clause, but reports suggest they have secured a percentage of any future sale as well as the ability to match any offers Ipswich receive for the young winger.

Hutchinson's former club Arsenal, who he left on a free transfer to join Chelsea in 2022, will also receive a small sum as part of his move to Ipswich.

With Hutchinson joining Ipswich before the financial deadline of June 30, it means Chelsea raised close to £90m through the departures of Ian Maatsen (£37.5m to Aston Villa) and Lewis Hall (£28m to Newcastle United) before the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

"We're so pleased to bring Omari back on a permanent basis," McKenna said.

"Omari is someone we all enjoyed working with last season and the staff, his teammates and supporters all saw how he grew and developed over the course of the year, which is testament to the hard work he put in.

"The impact he had on the team throughout the season, especially in the latter part, was evidence of that and he, like so many of his teammates, played a significant part in that success for the Club.

"We think Omari is a fantastic player and person to have at the Club for the long-term future. He has a hunger to improve and show that he can compete and thrive in the Premier League."

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