Ipswich Town may hope to become the latest member of the Championship’s ‘100 point club’ but, by bringing Sindre Walle Egeli to Portman Road from FC Nordsjaelland, Kieran McKenna’s side secured their place in the history books for another reason.
Despite a very underwhelming start – two draws and a loss from their first three games – there is really no reason the Tractor Boys cannot at least aim to replicate what Leeds and Burnley did last term.
Take their points tally into triple figures.
Ipswich Town have, after all, assembled one of the strongest squads seen at this level. A fearsome collection of Championship all-stars – see Jack Clarke, Jaden Philogene, Sammie Szmodics, Leif Davis – coupled with some very expensive additions.
Marcelino Nunez – the Chilean playmaker swaps Norwich for Ipswich while becoming the first player in 24 years to make such a journey – falls right in the middle of that particular Venn diagram.
Sindre Walle Egeli, though, is certainly in the ‘expensive additions’ category. For now, at least. While completely unproven in English football, the Norway international already has a piece of Championship history under his belt.
Ipswich have signed Walle Egeli for just over £17 million. As such, he overtakes Burnley’s £15 million misfit as the costliest signing ever made by a second-tier club.
Though according to Alexander Riget, the sporting director at Nordsjaelland, Walle Egeli possesses the skillset to justify Ipswich’s lofty investment.
Sindre Walle Egeli against Republic of Ireland for Norway in UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
Nordsjaelland boss Alexander Riget speaks on Ipswich Town’s Sindre Walle Egeli deal
After starting out at Sandefjord, Walle Egeli moved on to Nordsjaelland in 2023.
Still only 19 years of age, the teenager blossomed into one of the brightest talents in all of Scandinavian football. In his final season at Nordsjaelland, he notched nine goals and eight assists while playing all across the frontline with eye-catching results.
Speaking during his Friday press conference, shortly before the deal became official, Kieran McKenna spoke about Sindre Walle Egeli’s ‘big potential’.
Ipswich Town badge on a shirt before Tottenham Hotspur FC v Ipswich Town FC – Premier League
Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven were linked as well. McKenna feels that Ipswich’s ability to develop and then sell on young talents for massive profits – see Liam Delap and Omari Hutchison this summer alone – partly explains why Walle Egeli was as attracted at the club as the club were to him.
Norway wonderkid brings real attacking thrust to Kieran McKenna’s side
Nordsjaelland have quite a reputation of their own when it comes to putting youngsters on the pathway to prominence. Something with makes Alexander Riget very proud indeed.
“The sale of Sindre is a really nice picture of one of the ways we work,” Riget tells the club’s official website. “We recruited a very big Scandinavian talent by virtue of good work from our scouting and recruitment department, and then we have been able to refine him as a player.”
Riget also explains what Ipswich can expect from a player who will wear the number eight shirt on the blue side of the Old Farm rivalry.
“Sindre is a player who is good at getting shots [on goal], while he is also a very skilled finisher with an extremely precise kick with his left foot,” the director adds. “So, he is good at scoring goals.
“But at the same time, he has also learned along the way to be able to work hard defensively. He has really developed that part especially in the past year.”
Arjen Robben celebrates during FC Bayern Muenchen v Arsenal FC – UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg
Bayern Munich icon Arjen Robben is a fitting cmparison
Walle Egeli’s work rate off the ball is likely to appeal just as much as his qualities with it, as far as McKenna is concerned.
Walle Egeli has been likened to Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben, per Eurosport. Considering that Ipswich’s third-most expensive-ever signing likes to cut in from the right and bend shots at goal with his left foot, those comparisons make a lot of sense.
“I’m really excited to have signed for this club,” Walle Egeli tells the Ipswich website, opening up on the talks he had with McKenna and his desire to follow in the footsteps of Delap and co. “This is a club with great history and great plans for the future and this is something I really want to be a part of.
“As soon as I knew Ipswich were interested, I was excited to come and I believe this club is the perfect place for me to progress in my career.
“I have had some great conversations with the manager and now I can’t wait to get started, meet my teammates and also the supporters.”
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