Albion re-sign Townsend after Ipswich exit

West Bromwich Albion have re-signed defender Conor Townsend on a one-year deal following his exit from Ipswich Town.

The 33-year-old left The Hawthorns to join Ipswich in August 2024 after six years with the Baggies.

But injuries limited him to 10 appearances for the Tractor Boys, with his most recent competitive game a Premier League match at Chelsea in April 2025.

Townsend sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury last summer, leading to him missing the entire 2025-26 campaign.

But after passing a medical with the Championship club, the left-sided player has agreed a deal to return to The Hawthorns.

Townsend made 213 appearances during six years in his first spell with Albion, which included promotion to the Premier League in 2020.

The Baggies are understood to be working on other deals as they remain light in certain positions, particularly in the wide areas following the departures of former skipper Jed Wallace and Karlan Grant, who returned to his former club Charlton earlier this week.

Analysis: Top pro adds vital experience

Steve Hermon, BBC Radio WM

It is a surprise return in many ways, but it is a deal that makes a lot of sense.

Aged 33 and having made just 10 appearances in the two years since he left The Hawthorns, Townsend is not about to displace Callum Styles at left-back.

Despite a disappointing 2025-26 campaign for the team, the Hungary international was undoubtedly Albion's player of the year and rightly received that award from his team-mates and the fans.

The 26-year-old also featured in all but one of the Baggies' games in the Championship last season.

Townsend's spell at Ipswich was marred by unfortunate injuries, but his game time at Portman Road was also limited by his role as back-up to Leif Davis.

Having made more than 200 appearances for Albion during his previous six-year stay, he adds some vital Championship experience to the squad both on and off the field. Having worked with him previously, head coach James Morrison knows he will not rock the boat.

It is a shrewd capture as it does not break the bank and Albion know exactly what type of player and, more importantly, what type of character they are getting.

By all accounts, he is a top professional and was vice-captain to Wallace before he left in 2024. His presence is likely to be felt more off the field than on it in the upcoming campaign, but Albion know he will do a reliable job when called upon.

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