Azor Matusiwa: We Watched Him So You Don’t Have To

Azor Matusiwa: We Watched Him So You Don’t Have To

Following their relegation from the Premier League, Ipswich Town are a team expected to have a hectic summer window of incomings and outgoings.

Liam Delap and Axel Tuanzebe are among the players to have already departed the club, while the Tractor Boys have been busy, adding three new additions within the month of July.

Azor Matusiwa is one of those reinforcements, a 27-year-old central midfielder who has played at the top level of European football for clubs such as Ajax Reims, and Rennes.

However, who is Ipswich’s new tireless midfielder and what can he bring to the Championship?

Matusiwa's Footballing Journey

🚨🤑 NEWS: Ajax receive €288.000 compensation fee after Azor Matusiwa moved from Stade Rennes to Ipswich Town for €11.5M.

The midfielder came through Ajax's academy. #Ajax pic.twitter.com/K1QW75U3iQ

— Inside020 (@Inside_020) July 13, 2025

Matusiwa began his professional career in 2017/18, making his debut in the Eredivisie for Ajax after rising through the youth ranks at the Dutch club. The midfielder would go on to make numerous appearances for Jong Ajax over a three-year period before departing the Dutch giants.

Leaving Ajax, Matusiwa initially spent a season at De Graafschap, making 16 appearances in the top tier of Dutch football as he impressed in the middle of the park.

Nevertheless, his stay would not be long as he moved to a fellow Eredivisie rival in FC Groningen the next summer, appearing 51 times for the Dutch club as he played a huge part in their 7th-placed finish in the 2020/21 season.

Azor Matusiwa 🚜

Defensively sound.
Can play through the lines.
Can switch a ball.

Hopefully we have unearthed a solid midfielder for the Championship.#itfc pic.twitter.com/gzJoFKVtl9

— JTP (@ThatsJpToYou) July 10, 2025

Next was a move to France and Reims in 2021, and in his debut year at the club, the Dutchman netted his first professional goal, scoring one goal and providing one assist in 29 matches in his first season in Ligue 1.

Matusiwa remained at the club for a further two seasons before again moving to a divisional rival. The midfielder joined Rennes, making his first appearances in European football and the UEFA Europa League as he was involved in Thursday night action.

At the age of 27, Matusiwa is yet to make a senior appearance for the Netherlands despite claiming four caps within their youth ranks. However, after a big money move to England, the spotlight on the Dutchman could brighten, providing a chance to gain his first call-up.

Playstyle

Ipswich signing Azor Matusiwa in the Championship is really really good business.

Adds them legs they need in midfield, ridiculously solid out of possesion, timing and ability in duels is really good—also has a nice variation in passing, and pretty good at playing through the… pic.twitter.com/bbEBb87veK

— HC (@HCfootball01) July 10, 2025

A relatively accomplished player in European football at the age of 27, on paper, Matusiwa seems to be a fabulous addition for a team playing in the second tier of England.

Compared to the great, N’Golo Kante, Matusiwa is a player of small stature in his position, standing at 5’8 but on the field, he is an incredibly strong and feisty player that could anchor any midfield.

A traditional six, Matusiwa could be more than capable of playing the role of Sam Morsy in Ipswich’s team, giving the Tractor Boys a younger option in their midfield.

Matusiwa would often take up options deep, operating as a sweeper in front of the defence, but the 27-year-old is also capable, picking the ball up deep and in difficult situations to transition play from defence to attack.

The Dutchman is not going to be a player who comes in and provides goals and assists, having scored just three goals in his career. However, with players such as Omari Hutchinson currently set to stay at Portman Road for next season, Matusiwa can give his attack-minded teammates a license to get forward.

Statistical Deep Dive

Player Profile: Azor Matusiwa

Rumoured Fee: 10M

Age: 27

Nationality: Netherlands 🇳🇱

Position: DM

Height: 5'8/173M

Preferred foot: Right pic.twitter.com/sKkIjfQl0E

— Alex Osborn (@AlexOsborn25) July 10, 2025

Matusiwa’s game is all about defending and on the stats sheet – that is exactly where he thrives. Per 90, the midfielder averages 1.69 tackles won, 6.11 duels won, 5.80 recoveries and 1.47 interceptions.

Despite his height, the 27-year-old is also statistically impressive aerially, winning 63.3% of his aerial duels.

Finally, while attacking might not be his forte, it is clear to see that Matusiwa can still play a key part in Ipswich’s attack, being the foundation and opening domino that starts forward-thinking moves.

On the ball, Matusiwa is great, having a pass accuracy of 87.3% and a long ball accuracy of 78.3%. Although he plays in a deeper role, the Dutchman is also heavily involved in play, making around 62.4 touches per game, showcasing his ability to orchestrate games from the middle.

Will Matusiwa Be A Hit Or A Miss?

🚨✅ 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃: Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Azor Matusiwa from French side Rennes for a fee of £7.8 million, on a four year contract. ✍️

Welcome to Town, Azor!💙🤝#itfc pic.twitter.com/LcW1PUFN5w

— ITFC Published (@itfcpublished) July 13, 2025

When analysing and looking at the player, Matusiwa appears to be a fantastic signing for Ipswich.

At £7.8m, it is potentially a pricey signing for a team in the Championship, with many of the sides in the second tier unable to afford a player of that price or quality. However, following their recent stint in the Premier League, Ipswich can take a risk and splash out on a player, with Matusiwa potentially being the perfect player to aid their promotion bid.

An energetic figure in the midfield, the former Rennes man will be under instant pressure to succeed but after a great number of years at the top level of European football, Matusiwa should have more than enough ability to impress in the Championship.