Deadline day signing, injury and loans - reflecting on Gassan Ahadme's time at Town

Gassan Ahadme has left Ipswich Town to join Charlton Athletic on a permanent deal. Ross Halls looks back on his spell at Portman Road.

Gassan Ahadme joined Ipswich Town from Burton Albion on deadline day in 2022. (Image: ITFC)

DEADLINE DAY SIGNING 

The forward had started the 2022/23 campaign in fine form for Burton Albion, scoring five goals in eight games - netting the Brewers' fastest ever goal in the club's history.

Ahadme was a stand-out performer during the Blues' 1-0 victory at the Pirelli Stadium, as he never stopped running and caused Town's defence problems throughout the 90 minutes.

That display seemed to play a big part in his arrival at Portman Road as the Blues signed him for a reported fee of £300,000 on deadline day.

After signing Ahadme, manager Kieran McKenna said: "We feel like Gassan is a really good fit for us.

"He is at an age where he is hungry and he has had a strong start to the season.

"Gassan adds another element to our attack, particularly with his height, and can come straight into the fold."

Gassan Ahadme suffered a foot fracture early on. (Image: Ross Halls)

CAMEOS AND INJURY SET-BACK

He went on to make his Town debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 win at Accrington Stanley, before further sub appearances against Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle.

Those games didn't give him enough chance to make a impact, however, and a foot injury would then disrupt his start to life with the Blues.

It was an unfortunate time to get injured as Ahadme was just getting some minutes under his belt, but he was ruled out for a few weeks.

McKenna said: “That’s very disappointing for him, because he’s just settling into the team, and also very disappointing for the squad because he was an addition for us who would have been an important player."

Gassan Ahadme scored once in eight games for Ipswich Town. (Image: Ross Halls)

RETURN AND ONLY GOAL

After a month out of action, he made his return as a late cameo in the 2-0 win at Exeter City, before he was handed his first start against Buxton in the FA Cup.

McKenna said prior to the game: "He is such a hungry and determined character. With his mentality in training he is going to add to an already hungry and determined group.

Ahadme would score his only goal for the club in the 4-0 win over the non-league side as he bundled the ball over the line.

A further three sub appearances followed, but didn't get any closer to staking his claim to be a first-team starter for the Blues.

Gassan Ahadme enjoyed a impressive loan stint at Cambridge United. (Image: PA)

LOAN SPELLS 

Following the signing of George Hirst, he found himself on the fringes of Kieran McKenna’s first-team squad, which saw him return to Burton on loan.

Ahadme found it hard to get minutes though, with the Brewers often having to cut players to fall within the five loanees in any single matchday squad rule.

Town’s promotion to the Championship saw him sent out once again, joining Cambridge United for the 2023/24 season.

Despite suffering an injury midway through the campaign, he went on to score 13 goals in 33 games under four different managers.

He was also voted named as BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Cambridge United Player of the Season.

Gassan Ahadme departs Town to join Charlton Athletic. (Image: Ross Halls)

DEPARTURE 

A permanent exit always felt inevitable following Town's promotion to the Premier League, as he now joins Charlton Athletic for a fee believed to be in the region of £1 million, with add-ons potentially taking it above that figure.

Overall, his spell at Portman Road never really got started despite having many of the core assets McKenna looks for in his players.

It looks like a great bit of business from the club to get some money for Ahadme, who was a low-risk signing at the time and unfortunate with injuries.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Ipswich captain Sam Morsy said: "What a guy, fantastic human and one of the most professional players I've seen."