Stade de Reims centre-back Cédric Kipré (28) is set to return to English football – the Ivorian international will join Championship side Ipswich Town on loan for the 2025/26 season, according to L’Équipe. The deal includes a mandatory purchase clause worth €4.5m in the event of the Tractor Boys securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
Both clubs suffered relegation last season: Reims were sent down to Ligue 2 following a dramatic end to the Ligue 1 campaign, while Ipswich dropped out of the Premier League just one year after promotion.
Kipré arrived in Champagne last summer on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion and made 28 league appearances in his debut Ligue 1 campaign. He also played the full 90 minutes in the Coupe de France final defeat to PSG (0-3) at the Stade de France in May.
Although the former PSG academy player had never featured in Ligue 1 before 2023/24, he is no stranger to the English second tier, having amassed 174 Championship appearances across five seasons with Wigan, Barnsley and West Brom. His performances last season earned him a first cap for Ivory Coast in June – a 1-0 defeat to New Zealand.
Kipré remains under contract with Reims until 2027, but the club are expected to bank €4.5m from the deal if Ipswich secure promotion.
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