Kieran McKenna explains reason why Ipswich loaned Szmodics to promotion rivals Derby

Kieran McKenna explains the reason why Ipswich Town loaned out Sammie Szmodics to promotion rivals Derby County on deadline day.

The Rams bring in the forward on loan for the rest of the season, wanting to enjoy his football again after picking up injuries and a difficult Premier League season.

Szmodics enjoyed his best season under Eustace at Blackburn in 2023-24, scoring 33 goals in 48 appearances, and hopes to regain that form.

‘Wasn’t a football decision…’

Kieran McKenna has explained why #itfc decided to let Sammie Szmodics join Championship promotion rivals #dcfc on loan late on deadline day 👇https://t.co/33xsKv5vHh pic.twitter.com/cd3ohLcePT

— Stuart Watson (@Stuart_Watson) February 6, 2026

Kieran McKenna said on Sammie’s future at Ipswich, per East Anglian Daily Times: “We’ll see what the summer brings.”

on the decision to loan him out: “It’s clear from a football perspective where Sammie’s at and how he’s done. He had a really positive first half of the season with us in the Premier League, scored some big goals and was on four goals by Christmas. He showed his strengths and we really missed him in the second half of the season.

“He had two big injuries in the calendar year of 2025, both with complicated recoveries that have held him back a little bit. So there’s obvious football things there.

“But in the end it wasn’t a football decision, it wasn’t related to his football performance. It was a decision that was made in the best interests of our group dynamic, of our dressing room culture, of the values of our dressing room and of our team.

“In those respects the decision was made that it was best that Sammie wouldn’t be with us for the rest of the season.

“Of course there was a possibility of that being on a permanent transfer but when there wasn’t a suitable offer it was still considered that it was the best for him not to be here this season. That’s all I’m going to say on it really.

“It’s difficult for supporters when you can’t always give them the full picture. He’s gone on loan to a team that’s going well and I understand the perception of that. But in the end it’s those of us in the top end of the club and my responsibility to do what I think is right for the football club. I’ve done that since I’ve been here and I’ll continue to do that and that was the basis of this decision.”

Sammie Szmodics on Instagram:#itfc pic.twitter.com/Ink3qyjCJD

— ITFC Published (@itfcpublished) February 2, 2026

Sammie said in his first interview with RamsTV: “It was intense, but ultimately got what Derby wanted and I wanted.To come here and get some games.

“Finally, we got it done.

“I heard about it [Derby’s interest] early January, early on. Nothing really concrete.

“I only found out a couple of weeks ago, maybe 10 days ago, when the first bid went in. That’s when I let Ipswich know it was something that interested me.

“Whether that was a permanent or a loan, or a loan with an obligation, it was something I wanted to do, to come and work under the boss again.

“Thankfully, it just got done in time.

“I think I played my football under the manager [Eustace], and under Gards [Matt Gardiner] and Keith [Downing]. It was an opportunity to come and work with them again.

“A club like Derby, the size of the club and the ambitions this season, it’s something I couldn’t turn down.

“He’s [Lewis Travis] one of my best mates in football. It was another reason I wanted to come to Derby, to link up with him again.

“When I was there [Blackburn], he left to go to Ipswich, and now I’ve left Ipswich to come back and be with him.

“It’s a relationship we’ve got on the pitch, but it’s a healthy relationship off it as well.”

On wanting to enjoy his football again: “I think it’s a massive thing, especially at my age now, at 30,” he explained.

“I still consider myself young, but I still want to play enough football with a smile on my face and really enjoy it.

“For me, I really enjoyed Ipswich, but I know I’ve worked with this manager before and I know what this manager can get out of me.

“When an opportunity like that comes – and they don’t come around often – it’s something I’ve got to take control of.”

Social media users gave their reaction as Kieran McKenna explains the reason why Ipswich loaned Szmodics to promotion rivals Derby…

@Toshisaram: The lad wanted to join a bigger better ran club. Simple as that.

@Cogniti40241567: You have got a great player there. Gutted that he is leaving. Good luck Sam 💙🚜

@JacobBrown20_: So the speculation around him was possibly true then 😳 Wow.

@Pablobirdman: Can’t remember KM making comments like this before. If that’s the case then best for everyone he isn’t around. KM normally very measured in his responses so this is telling.

@63blueevans: KM is usually very calm and measured so whatever happened to have forced this must have made him livid. No player is bigger than the club and you have to have standards. We move on

@dazw71: Basically SS wanted to go to Derby to work with Eustace again and forced the move. Quite simple really and happens hell of a lot in football. No need for McKenna to be 🧂

@ITFCFerry: Mess with KMc’s dressing room, get banged

@mithITFC: We all heard the rumours but fuck me I didn’t think it could be true. Absolute fair play to KMcK for fronting it up. Completely take back my criticism about moving on Szmodics on loan. If it’s true what he said than the bellend should never play in a town top again #itfc

@TownrowMat72678: So maybe the rumours were true if so most likely will never play for town again. I have to absolutely gutted it never, worked at town was sold a dream after his full debut. #itfc

@dhlbets: Perfect response from Kieran. People really don’t understand how lucky we are to have him #itfc

@TheITFCPAGE: Very interesting…. For me I don’t see Szomdics in a town top again! #ITFC

@ryanlewis79: When your gaffers coming out saying that, you know your time is done 🤣

@DiscoDave1980: Seriously who ever got this over the line needs a round of applause. How do you go from wanting 6m to a loan without an obligation. Top stuff Derby. Shame he can’t play on Saturday coz if he did and scored it would not go down well

@n_dcfc41406: On loan without spending upwards of 6 mil 😍😍. This is seriously good business, assume there’s no obligation to buy in summer either? Oh my Derby County are so back 🐏🐏

@TownTreats: If you can get him fit, we all saw what he did at #Rovers. Poor performances and forever injured at #itfc has just seen him never get going in Suffolk. Hope he rediscovers himself at #dcfc.