Confirmed: After nine years at Chelsea, young Nigerian LB joins Ipswich on permanent deal

London-born Nigerian left-back Somto Boniface has left Chelsea for good following a permanent transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town. 

The Tractor Boys officially announced on deadline day the acquisition of the talented defender who has represented England at U16, U17 and U18 levels.

The 18-year-old is leaving Chelsea after nine years, having joined the Blues at the age of nine as a schoolboy.

His first outing in an Ipswich shirt could come next week when John McGreal’s U21s clash with Bristol City at Playford Road.

Boniface was a key member of the Chelsea U18s side in the 2022-2023 season, making the second most appearances, and was named Scholar of the Year.

He signed a scholarship deal with Chelsea before the start of the 2022-2023 season and inked his first professional contract in March 2023 after turning seventeen.

The Cobham product is credited with five appearances in the Premier League 2 for his boyhood club and played in two games for Chelsea's development squad in the EFL Trophy.

He has been described as fullback who is good in one-v-one attacking situations and has good technique when delivering crosses.

Boniface links up with Edwin Agbaje, Leon Ayinde, Jesse Nwabueze, Tudor Mendel-Idowu and Abube Onuchukwu at Ipswich Town's development squad.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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