Ipswich Town: Blues sign Jamaica international Omari Hutchinson on loan from Chelsea

Ipswich Town have signed 19-year-old attacker Omari Hutchinson from Premier League side Chelsea on a season-long loan.

The electric youngster becomes the club’s fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Jack Taylor, Cieran Slicker and George Hirst to Portman Road.

Hutchinson, who has won two full international caps for Jamaica, joins the Blues having made two senior appearances for Chelsea last season, both coming against Manchester City in Premier League and FA Cup games.

During his first interview as a Town player, the new signing said: “I’m really excited to join the club at such an exciting time.

“I have met with the manager face-to-face and really enjoyed hearing what he had to say, so I’m looking forward to playing in his team.

“I like to attack what’s in front of me and I like to score and create chances for my team-mates, playing nice football and keeping possession.

“I like bringing smiles to people’s faces and hopefully I can do that here. To play in front of 30,000 people will be crazy and I'm really looking forward to it.”

The left-footed talent can play in a number of roles in attack, particularly attacking midfield, and becomes the second Jamaica international in the Tractor Boys squad, joining Greg Leigh.

After beginning his youth career at Chelsea, Omari also spent time with Charlton and Arsenal before returning to Stamford Bridge last summer.

While with the Gunners he featured against Town in the EFL Trophy, scoring the winning penalty during a knockout clash at Portman Road in 2021, following a 2-2 draw during the 90 minutes.

Formerly an England U17 and U19 player, the skilful attacker switched international allegiance to Jamaica last year and has been capped twice since the change.

Town manager Kieran McKenna, said: “We’re delighted to have Omari with us because he is a young player with real potential who has shown a real desire to come here for his first senior loan. So we think he is a good fit for us and we can be a good match for each other.

“He is a wide player who can give us different options and is direct, can attack and test the opposition in one-v-ones and has good pace. This is his first senior loan so we have to remember he is very young, but he is a player we are excited to have join the group.”

Town CEO, Mark Ashton, said: “We are delighted to have brought Omari to the club.

“He is an exciting young player with great potential and we are looking forward to having him with us during what is a big season for the club.”