Sweden, China, Denmark, France, Italy and now Ipswich - Cajuste on his journey so far

Jens Cajuste has had an interesting journey to this point. Stuart Watson spoke to the Ipswich Town loanee about his life and career...

"I've heard so many different versions," says Jens Cajuste, with a smile, when asked if he can clarify how his surname should be pronounced.

"'Kai-oos-tuh' - it's a Haitian name," he explains, in his smooth American accent. “My father was born in Haiti (a Caribbean island nation) and grew up in the States and my mother is Swedish, so I’m Swedish-American.

“We lived in China for about four years growing up and I started playing football there, then been a little bit all over the place. Denmark, I played there, France, Italy and now I’m here in the UK. It’s been a ride."

That's an understatement. His childhood experience of China was spent in the densely populated cities of Luoyang and Beijing. Back in Sweden, Cajuste came through the youth ranks at Örgryte IS before making his senior debut, in the second-tier, at the age of 17.

Jens Cajuste has started three Premier League games for Ipswich Town so far. (Image: Ross Halls)

Not long before his 19th birthday, he signed for Danish side Midtjylland. In his breakthrough season, he played in Europa League games against Rangers. The campaign after that, he faced Liverpool, Ajax and Atalanta in the Champions League. His international debut for Sweden came not long after turning 21.

A move to north east French side Reims, for a reported €10m in January 2022, followed. A year later, he was part of a team that got an away draw against a Paris St-Germain side that boasted an attack of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Reims would finish 11th in Ligue 1 under young English coach Will Still.

Off the back of that came a mega move. Napoli, having secured their first Serie A title in 23 years, bought Cajuste for €12m. He featured in games against Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus last season.

Jens Cajuste (right) battles with Liverpool's Jordan Henderson during his time at Danish club Midtjylland. (Image: PA)

"My journey as helped me grow as a person quite a bit," said the 25-year-old.

"It’s been immense in terms of understanding different cultures and learning different languages. The Chinese is not really there, but I speak a little bit of Italian and French.

"I've experienced different styles of football too. In Italy it was more tactical, more side-to-side movements. France is a bit more similar to here with the duels, but the intensity here is definitely a step above."

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On playing for Napoli, Cajuste said: “There's a lot of pressure but also a lot of passion. You definitely feel it from the moment you’re there. They really love football and you can really sense that. At the end of the day it’s all love, it’s all for the team and in support of the team. It was good backing. It was definitely a special time being there.

“I started against Barcelona at home and that was a wow moment. But at the end of the day it’s football and it’s all about playing in every game as if it’s a Champions League final."

Three managers came and went at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last season. After a 10th place finish, Antonio Conte arrived and looked to shake things up. Cajuste was close to joining Brentford on loan, but ultimately ended up coming to Portman Road.

Jens Cajuste came close to signing for Brentford in the summer. (Image: Ross Halls)

“There was some discussions about knees," explained Cajuste, when asked about his collapsed switch to the Gtech Stadium. "I don’t really dig into the details, but it didn’t go through. I’m happy with how it’s turned out though. I’m really happy to be here.”

Cajuste lists Andrea Pirlo, Sergio Busquets, Paul Pogba and Mousa Dembele as players that influenced him growing up. After signing for Ipswich, he said he couldn't wait to put in some 'good British-style tackles'.

Man City loanee Kalvin Phillips and skipper Sam Morsy have, more often than not, been the preferred central midfield duo so far. Cajuste had a little spell sidelined with that aforementioned knee issue too. He's looked good in the moments he's been on the pitch tough, most notably in Sunday's 2-1 win at Tottenham.

"I've felt welcomed here since day one - it’s really been a great introduction to English football," said Cajuste.

“There are elements in this league that are a step above any other league I’ve been to so far, but I definitely feel like I’m getting better and making improvements. I do feel like it suits my type of football very well and that I will get better with time and more minutes on the pitch."

Jens Cajuste says he feels he's getting better at Town (Image: PA) Cajuste will still have three years left on his Napoli contract when this season ends. There have been reports that Ipswich have an obligation to buy clause of €12m if they manage to avoid the drop.

Asked if he can see himself staying at Town beyond this campaign, he replied: “It’s not really in my hands. Of course it depends on results. We’ll have to wait and see, it’s nothing I can comment on right now.

“But as I said, the club has been fantastic in welcoming me and I’m very happy here. Everything around the club has been very good, so that’s all I can say right now.”