Braintree Town have completed the signing of former Ipswich Town academy player Afi Adebayo. The 21-year-old forward joins the National League South club on a non-contract basis after his release from Portman Road this summer.
Adebayo had been with Ipswich since under-14 level and turned professional last summer. His contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season, prompting his move to Cressing Road. He now joins a Braintree side managed by Steve Pitts, who are looking to climb from 20th position in the National League South table. The Iron have taken seven points from their opening six matches, with a record of two wins, one draw and three losses.
Afi Adebayo arrives with experience from the Ipswich Town academy system and a brief loan spell in non-league football. He spent time on loan at Wingate & Finchley last season, where he helped the club win the Velocity Cup. The forward also has international pedigree, having previously represented the Republic of Ireland at under-16 level.
His addition provides manager Steve Pitts with another attacking option as Braintree seek to improve their goal difference, which currently stands at minus five after conceding 14 goals while scoring nine. The club's recent form reads WLDLW, showing signs of inconsistency as they sit nine points behind league leaders Maidstone United. Fans can track the squad's progress on the official squad page.
Braintree Town were relegated from the National League last season and are in the early stages of their National League South campaign. The signing of a young, hungry forward like Adebayo aligns with a potential rebuilding phase under Pitts. He joins a club needing to find more consistency to move away from the lower reaches of the standings.
Adebayo's non-contract status offers flexibility for both player and club. It allows Braintree to assess his fit within the squad without a long-term commitment, while giving the player a platform to show his abilities. The Iron's next challenge is an away fixture against 16th-placed Chelmsford City on December 26th, a match featured in the club's fixtures list.
Interestingly, Afi Adebayo's younger brother, Praise Adebayo, remains within the Ipswich setup. Praise began a scholarship with the Tractor Boys this summer and is part of the new academy intake. He plays as a full-back for the Ipswich Town under-18 side, meaning one Adebayo brother has departed while another is just starting his journey at Portman Road.
For Braintree, the focus is squarely on the present and improving their league position. The acquisition of Adebayo is a low-risk move that adds depth to the attacking line. Steve Pitts will be hoping the former Ipswich youngster can contribute to turning around a difficult start to the season. The team's immediate objective is to prepare for their Boxing Day trip to Chelmsford City.
