Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis expressed his deep affection for the club, recently signing a new four-year contract that reflects his commitment to Portman Road.
Having joined Ipswich from Leeds United in July 2022, Davis quickly became a key playmaker, leading the English leagues with 33 assists. Reflecting on his journey, Davis remarked, “No, not really, obviously we were in League One when I joined… We did it in two years, which was incredible.”
Davis, who is approaching his 99th appearance for Ipswich, shared how the club’s ambition inspired his decision to stay. “Another four years here is incredible,” he said, noting the club and its supporters made his choice to extend an easy one. He recounted how the contract talks began at the end of last season and emphasized that both he and the club took their time to ensure everything aligned perfectly. “I wanted to stay, I was never going to change my mind,” he added.
Reflecting on his growth under manager Kieran McKenna, Davis credited McKenna’s confidence in him from day one. “He believed in me and he trusted me that I could do it from the first game,” Davis said. Working with McKenna, he noted, has helped him mature both on and off the field, particularly in his defensive game, which has seen consistent improvement. Davis spoke of the dedication McKenna shows in training, pushing him even when he’s exhausted, and the mindset required for success late in games.
Davis also highlighted his teammates’ role in helping him settle in quickly, especially players like Conor Chaplin, Wes Burns, Luke Woolfenden, and Christian Walton. “From day one they welcomed me massively,” Davis said, recalling how they supported him even after an early mistake on his debut.
Among his most memorable matches, Davis pointed to Ipswich’s game against Peterborough, a crucial moment in their promotion push from League One. “We didn’t know, but that’s when we kind of knew [we would get promoted],” he explained. The team’s intense preparation and strong mentality during that unbeaten stretch, he shared, were pivotal to their success.
Known for his impressive assist record, Davis continues to shine in the Premier League, leading the defenders in chances created, surpassing Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tottenham’s Pedro Porro. When asked about his game, he explained the balance he strives to maintain: “Defensively, I’m a left-back… Going forward is just as important as defending as well.”
A native of the north-east and lifelong Newcastle United fan, Davis admitted he’s especially excited to play against them this season. “There’s one team I’m looking forward to playing against and that’s Newcastle,” he shared, describing how meaningful it will be to play at St James’ Park with his family watching.
Reflecting on his early days in football, Davis reminisced about his time with Wallsend Boys Club, which produced stars like Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick. From his days with Cramlington Juniors to securing a scholarship with Morecambe, Davis is proud of the unconventional path he took and grateful for where it’s led him.
