Ipswich will play in the Premier League for the first time since 2002 after securing the second automatic promotion spot from the second-tier Championship.
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Their campaign has also been a triumph for two Australians. Former international Massimo Luongo, who made 45 appearances for the Socceroos, has been a key component of the Ipswich defence.
Meanwhile, the Scottish-born Cameron Burgess, whose family emigrated to Perth when he was 11 and who has played seven times for the Socceroos, is another defensive stalwart.
Both were in action as Ipswich beat Huddersfield 2-0 to finish runners-up behind champion Leicester on the final day of the regular season, sparking a pitch invasion at Portman Road.
It is the second straight promotion for the team nicknamed the 'Tractor Boys,' who have been revitalised since Kieran McKenna became manager in December 2021, when the club from rural East Anglia were in the third tier.
Leeds, whose American ownership group includes major-winning golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, were the only team who could have prevented Ipswich from finishing second but needed to make up a three-point deficit on their rival. But Leeds lost 2-1 at home to Southampton.
Since relegation from the top flight in the 2001-02 season, Ipswich have struggled with financial issues and, in 2019, fell to the third tier for the first since 1957.
The recovery has been led by McKenna, a former Northern Ireland youth-team player who retired early because of injuries and preaches expansive, attacking football as a coach.
Leeds join Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich in the playoffs for the third promotion spot. Leeds will play Norwich over two legs and Southampton take on West Brom. The playoff final is at Wembley Stadium on May 26.
Australian Associated Press
