Ipswich Town: Bailey Clements released by Chesterfield
Former Ipswich Town defender Bailey Clements has been released by newly promoted League Two side Chesterfield.
The 23-year-old joined the the Spireites in the summer of 2022 to reunite with his former Blues manager Paul Cook, following his release by Town.
He went on to help them reach the National League play-off final in his first season at the club, but they were beaten on penalties by Notts County.
Clements then spent some time on loan at fellow National League side Eastleigh during the first half of the 2023/24 season.
He returned to Chesterfield in January to help them win promotion back to League Two for the first time since 2018 as they lifted the fifth tier title.
In total, Clements made nine appearances for Town after coming through the academy, with him joining the club at the age of seven.
Fellow former Town academy player Harley Curtis was also released after one season at the SMH Group Stadium.
READ MORE:
Rushworth in, Harness out: The dream start to Ipswich Town’s summer transfer window
FLW takes a look at how newly promoted Ipswich Town could make a dream start to their summer transfer window
Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League after two promotions, now focusing on building a competitive squad to stay. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton could be a smart signing for the top-flight, replacing potential departures. Winger Marcus Harness, a squad player, might be better off moving to a Championship or League One team to get more playing time.
After a 22-year absence, Ipswich Town will return to the Premier League next season having won two consecutive promotions under Kieran McKenna.
The Tractor Boys sealed their long-awaited return to the top flight with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on the final day of the season, and whilst celebrations are still in full flow, attention will soon come to building a squad ready to compete in the Premier League.
Ipswich have largely kept the same group of players throughout their promotions from League One and the Championship, but given the step-up in quality, the club will likely need to recruit this summer.
Promotion to the Premier League means that Ipswich will have money to spend, and it remains to be seen how McKenna will use the money, but you’d have thought he’d recruit shrewdly, unlike some clubs like Nottingham Forest who made 21 summer signings after promotion in 2022 – much to their detriment.
With that in mind, here is how Ipswich Town could make a dream start to their transfer window, both in terms of new signings and departures.
IN – Carl Rushworth
Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Swansea City, and thoroughly impressed in south Wales, winning the club’s supporter’s player of the year award along with the player’s player of the year award.
