Ipswich Town’s former loanee Alex McCarthy has signed for Leicester City on a two-year deal after leaving Southampton. The 36-year-old goalkeeper, who spent time on loan at Portman Road in 2011/12, will link up with former Ipswich Town forward Conor Chaplin at the King Power Stadium.
What happened with Alex McCarthy?
McCarthy’s move follows his decade-long spell at Southampton, where he helped the Saints win promotion to the Premier League in 2023/24. The experienced goalkeeper featured 10 times for Ipswich Town during his loan spell from Reading in the second half of the 2011/12 season. Now, he reunites with former Southampton boss Russell Martin at Leicester City, who are preparing for life in League One after back-to-back relegations.
Why it matters for Ipswich Town fans
McCarthy’s departure marks another chapter in Ipswich Town’s recent transfer activity, with Conor Chaplin also leaving Portman Road this summer to join Leicester City on a three-year contract. Ipswich Town themselves sit 2nd in the Championship with 84 points from 46 games, 11 points behind leaders Coventry, and boast an 80-goal haul with a +33 goal difference. The Blues’ recent form of WDDWD keeps them firmly in the promotion hunt as they chase a return to the Premier League.
What comes next for McCarthy?
McCarthy said he was “really pleased” to join Leicester City, citing the club’s strong history and clear ambitions as key factors in his decision. The Foxes, now in League One, will look to McCarthy’s experience to help steer them back toward the Championship. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town continue their push for a top-flight return, with their next fixtures set to test their title credentials further.
