Ipswich 'ambition' won over former Boro star

CHUBA Akpom listed the “massive ambitions” of Ipswich Town, and a feeling he'd fit well with their style of play as the two biggest factors in his decision to join the Tractor Boys after a summer saga that might have seen him rejoin Middlesbrough.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Along with Birmingham City, Boro were also keen to sign Akpom this summer when it became apparent that he would be leaving Ajax. Despite initially appearing that Boro had left it late in their attempts to scupper a move to Birmingham, the club had in fact been in contact with representatives of their former goal hero all summer.

While patience was required as Akpom's initial preference was the Premier League, he became available to Championship clubs earlier this month as no topflight clubs expressed an interest, while Akpom himself turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.