Former Super Eagles forward Sone Aluko has been appointed as a first-team coach at Ipswich Town ahead of their 22-year return to the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys achieved automatic promotion after finishing second in the Championship last season behind Leicester City.
Aluko was on the books of Ipswich as a player since 2021 and called time on his professional career after top-flight promotion was secured in May.
He will now look forward to working on the sidelines with manager Kieran McKenna.
“It is a real privilege to start the next phase of my career by joining the first -team coaching staff here at the club,” Aluko told the club website.
“Learning from the Manager and all the coaching staff here is a fantastic opportunity for me. It is a great time to be at Ipswich, and I’m really looking forward to helping the squad continue to learn and take on the challenge of the Premier League.”
Welcome to the coaching team, Sone!
Sone Aluko has started his position as First-Team Coach, while David Martin has joined in a role that will see him assist in goalkeeper development throughout the Academy pathway. 🤝
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) July 8, 2024
Meanwhile, McKenna said of Sone Aluko: “We’re delighted to add Sone to our coaching team.
“His work ethic and values have been important for the Club over the last few years, and we know he will continue to bring those qualities to his new role.
“Sone has strong relationships with players and staff at the Club and he will be a big addition for us.”
Aluko’s playing career spanner 17 years and saw him play for nine clubs, eight of them in the United Kingdom, two in Scotland (Aberdeen and Rangers) and one in China. Six were with English clubs (Birmingham City, Blackpool, Hull City, Fulham, Reading and Ipswich Town).
Though he was born in England, he opted to represent Nigeria and was capped seven times, scoring two goals.
