Former Ipswich Town Starlet Lands Surprise Deal After Portman Road Exit

Former Ipswich Town right-back Ayyuba Jambang has joined Wingate & Finchley after his summer release from Portman Road, linking up with Ahmet Rifat’s side in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

The 21-year-old, who arrived at Ipswich from Reading in September 2023 after a trial and previously spent time in Norwich City’s academy, steps into senior non-league football seeking regular minutes and momentum.

We’re delighted to welcome Ayyuba Jambang to P11 Football! ⚡️ The talented right-back, currently on loan at Chatham Town from Ipswich Town, is making waves with his dynamic play.

Excited for what’s ahead—welcome, Ayyuba! 🙌💪#AyyubaJambang #P11Football #NewSigning #Football pic.twitter.com/kPeV4SjYMp

— P11 Group (@TheP11Group) February 25, 2025

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What Happened and Why It Matters

Jambang’s departure from Ipswich followed a year in which he was a mainstay for the U21s but could not force a breakthrough into the first team. The defender’s pathway featured two short senior loans to build experience, including a brief spell with Aveley in 2023/24 and a second-half stint at Chatham Town last season. With no new terms on offer in the summer, a free transfer opened the door for a fresh start.

Wingate & Finchley, a well-established North London club, operate in the seventh tier of English football. The move presents a pragmatic fit for a developing full-back: competitive senior fixtures, a defined step into men’s football every week, and a platform where defensive consistency and athleticism can translate quickly into starts.

At this level, the schedule is demanding, the football is direct, and full-backs are asked to contribute at both ends of the pitch. For Jambang, who has come through robust academy environments and tasted senior football via loans, the alignment is clear.

Rifat’s squad will view Jambang’s pace and energy as assets in transition, while his academy background should support quick adaptation to structured out-of-possession work and set-piece detail that often decides games at this level.

 

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Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next

The immediate objective is straightforward: settle, play, and build rhythm. Jambang’s versatility on the right flank offers tactical flexibility, whether as a traditional right-back in a back four or a wing-back when the shape demands width higher up.

Regular minutes should accelerate decision-making in tight spaces, improve 1v1 defensive reliability, and sharpen delivery in the final third. With Wingate & Finchley competing in a fiercely contested division, incremental gains from a fresh option at full-back can be significant across congested autumn and winter schedules.

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Bottom of the Isthmian League

For the player, this move is an opportunity to convert academy promise and short-term loans into consistent senior output. Technical habits developed at Ipswich and Reading, combined with the resilience needed in the Isthmian Premier, will be measured week by week: defensive duels won, recovery runs made, and balls into the box with quality. A steady run of games is also the surest route to visibility, whether that’s establishing a longer-term home in North London or attracting attention higher up the pyramid.

Wingate & Finchley gain a defender with top-academy schooling and recent men’s football exposure, while Jambang gains a clear runway to play. If he hits the ground running, this can be a mutually beneficial mid-season addition, tightening the back line and adding thrust down the right as the fixtures stack up.