Just in: Dmitri Halajko Appointed Academy Director at Ipswich

Dmitri Halajko has ended his role as Sporting Director of Colchester United to become the new Academy Director at Ipswich Town. Halajko will replace Dean Wright, who left the club in June by mutual consent after his two years’ service.

Halajko starts his new job on Monday. He has previously worked in Professional Development Phase coaching roles for Norwich City, Leicester City and West Ham. He has also been the  Coaching Manager at the Premier League.

From July 2022, he was appointed as the first Sporting Director of League Two Colchester. The club finished 20th in the Division in 2022/23 and 22nd in 2023/24. Ipswich Chairman Mark Ashton said:

“After an extensive recruitment process led by Luke Werhun (Chief Operating Officer) and Gary Probert (Director of Football Operations). Dmitri demonstrated his history of producing high-level players and other industry experience, we knew he would be a great fit for us..

“Dmitri has held senior leadership roles within Premier League clubs and Category One Academies. He will now help us to drive standards and help us achieve our goal of becoming a Category One Academy.

“Dmitri will also help to build on the progress already made in our Academy to keep improving our players, people and programmes.”