Ipswich Town are set to allow promising defender Jokubas Mazionis to leave on loan, with Cheltenham Town poised to finalise a deal before the start of the League Two season.
The 19-year-old is expected to become the Robins’ second loan signing of the summer following a successful trial.
Lithuanian Youth International Ready for Next Step in Development
Mazionis, who captained Ipswich’s Under-21s last season, spent the second half of the 2024–25 campaign gaining senior experience with National League side Woking. The Lithuanian youth international has also featured for his country at U17 level and is considered one of the Tractor Boys’ more promising defensive prospects.
Having progressed through the academies of West Ham United and Arsenal before a spell with the Kinetic Foundation, Mazionis eventually signed for Ipswich in 2023. He made an impression at Portman Road by quickly assuming a leadership role in the development squad and now looks set for a first taste of League Two football.
Flynn Looks to Bolster Cheltenham’s Back Line With Versatile Talent
Mazionis featured in Cheltenham’s 4–1 behind-closed-doors victory over Brentford B earlier this week, with manager Michael Flynn running the rule over a number of trialists ahead of finalising his squad. The defender’s inclusion in that match, and his solid performance, appear to have pushed the Robins to move quickly to secure a loan agreement with Ipswich.
Flynn has already added five new faces this summer, including experienced names such as Ryan Broom and James Wilson, but has publicly acknowledged the need for further depth ahead of the club’s opening fixture at Cambridge United on Saturday.
Ipswich, who are operating with a deeper squad following promotion to the Championship, are believed to see the loan as a valuable opportunity for Mazionis to gain minutes in a competitive senior environment.
The deal would see the teenager follow a familiar development route, with the club previously utilising the loan market to nurture young talent. For Mazionis, it could be a crucial step in bridging the gap between development football and regular first-team action.
Writer’s View
This is a sensible move for all parties. Ipswich have a player who’s clearly impressed at youth level but needs the cut and thrust of senior football. Cheltenham, meanwhile, gain a technically sound, confident young defender who’s already shown his ability to lead a back line at under-21 level and hold his own in the National League.
For Jokubas Mazionis, this could be the launchpad he needs. With Cheltenham still shaping their squad, the opportunity for early starts is there, and if he impresses, he’ll not only benefit the Robins but return to Portman Road with a stronger case for first-team inclusion.
It’s the sort of quietly astute business that often flies under the radar but pays dividends by season’s end. One to watch.
