“Why did you sign for Ipswich?” — Ashley Young gave a HEARTFELT response when asked why he chose Ipswich Town, revealing his passion for the project and the vital role he hopes to play, despite receiving TEMPTING offers from rival clubs.

“Why did you sign for Ipswich?” — Ashley Young gave a HEARTFELT response when asked why he chose Ipswich Town, revealing his passion for the project and the vital role he hopes to play, despite receiving TEMPTING offers from rival clubs.

Ashley Young on Joining Ipswich Town: “I’m Here to Play Football and Help This Club Return to the Premier League”
By Mark Heath

Ashley Young has broken his silence since signing for Ipswich Town, speaking to the club’s in-house channel, TownTV.

At 40, the former England international is fully aware of the headlines surrounding his age – he’s now the oldest signing in the club’s history. But for Young, that number is just a reflection of decades of top-level experience.

Having played for Manchester United, Aston Villa, Everton, and Inter Milan, Young brings with him an impressive resume.

His career includes 39 caps for England, Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League triumphs with United, and a Serie A title with Inter Milan during the 2020/21 season.

Asked about his role at Ipswich, Young – who made 19 Premier League starts for Everton last season – said:

“For me, it’s about integrating into the squad quickly. That’s my main focus – and to contribute with my experience, leadership, and of course, my footballing ability. I’ve come here to play.”

He added:
“There will always be talk about age, but in today’s game it’s all about performance and stats – and I played in 32 Premier League matches last season. I’m not going to predict how many games I’ll play, but my only focus is helping this club get back to the Premier League.”

Why Ipswich?

When asked what attracted him to Suffolk, Young pointed to a familiar figure: manager Kieran McKenna.

“He played a huge role. I worked with him at Manchester United, I know his values, his footballing philosophy, and I’ve seen firsthand what he’s already achieved at this club,” Young explained.

“Last season’s end was disappointing, of course, but after speaking with him before signing, I knew I wanted to be part of what he’s building. His passion for the game and his desire to return to the Premier League really stood out.”

Young echoed a sentiment shared by many recent Town signings: the “McKenna factor” is a major draw.

“He’s a winner,” Young said. “You see it in training, on the sidelines during games – and I’ve seen that from my time with him at United.

He was a big reason I joined. But so were the fans, the players, the club culture. It’s a club that’s hard to play against. There’s a real momentum here to build on and push for promotion.”

McKenna’s Consistency

Despite McKenna’s growing reputation, Young insists the boss hasn’t changed.

“He’s the same guy – still hungry, still passionate, still obsessed with the game. Some managers change when they move up to the Premier League, but he hasn’t. That passion filters down to the players – you can feel it across the whole club.”

A Club on the Rise

From League One struggles to consecutive promotions and Premier League football, Ipswich Town’s journey has been remarkable – even with the setback of relegation last season.

Young has been watching from afar and has been impressed with what he’s seen.

“It’s clearly a family club. You see that in the players, how much they care and how much the fans care. It’s reflected in the style of play and the manager’s approach,” he said.
“The goal is clear – to return to the Premier League. It won’t be easy, but I believe in the manager’s vision and everyone’s bought into it.”

“Once you’ve had a taste of Premier League football, you want more. Everyone’s hungry to get back.”

Lessons From the Past

Young isn’t new to the Championship grind. He earned promotion with Watford in 2005/06 through the play-offs and knows what it takes to succeed in England’s second tier.

“It was a long time ago, and the Championship has changed a lot since then,” he admitted.
“But the fundamentals remain – togetherness, hard work, unity on and off the pitch. That’s what the manager is preaching, and that’s what it’ll take.”

“It’s not easy to get out of the Championship. But with the right mentality and focus, I’ve got no doubt this club can do it again this season.”