Ipswich Town and Stoke City are both expected to strengthen their squads in January as they push for promotion. Stoke currently sit 4th, just three points off the automatic spots, while Ipswich are six points behind second place and three adrift of the Potters. Managers Kieran McKenna and Mark Robins will be hoping for solid backing from their boards when the window opens, and one name linked with both clubs is German defender Antonios Papadopoulos.
According to Football Insider, both teams are monitoring the Lugano centre-back. Papadopoulos brings Champions League experience from his time with Borussia Dortmund and has entered the final 18 months of his contract, drawing interest from the Championship duo.
Who is Antonios Papadopoulos?
Papadopoulos joined Borussia Dortmund II in 2021 after standing out with Hallescher FC in Germany’s third division. He went on to make eight senior appearances for Dortmund, including two in the Champions League. However, he wasn’t able to secure a regular first-team role, which led to his move to Swiss side Lugano.
Since arriving in Switzerland, he has become a consistent starter for Lugano, who are competing in the Europa Conference League. He has featured 17 times across all competitions this season, mainly as a centre-back but with previous experience as a holding midfielder.
Lugano currently sit fifth in the Swiss Super League, where finishing in the top four earns a European spot. That may be a factor for the defender if Ipswich or Stoke decide to make a move.
Does Ipswich Town need Papadopoulos?
Ipswich struggled early in the campaign but have recovered well and are firmly in the play-off picture. The club already has three centre-backs regularly rotating—Cedric Kipre, Jacob Greaves, and Dara O’Shea—so signing another defender may not be an urgent priority. However, the 26-year-old could still be viewed as a long-term option who provides depth, especially if Ipswich win promotion.
Defensively, Ipswich have been solid, conceding the joint-second fewest goals in the division alongside Coventry City. Stoke, who are also tracking Papadopoulos, boast the best defensive record in the league.
Ipswich’s next match is against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, their game in hand. A win would move them above Stoke and into 4th place.