TWTD understands that departing Town defender Gareth McAuley signed for Premier League West Bromwich Albion earlier today.

Out-of-contract McAuley, 31, told Blues boss Paul Jewell that he would be moving on on the Monday following the final game of the season at Leicester with West Brom quickly emerging as his destination. Baggies boss Roy Hodgson confirmed his interest last week.

Northern Irishman McAuley joined the Blues from Leicester for a fee of £1.1 million in June 2008 and made 126 starts and one sub appearance, scoring eight goals.

The former Lincoln man was offered a new two-year deal by Town before Christmas but despite continuing to talk to the club in the final months of the season, decided against staying at Portman Road with SPL giants Rangers also showing interest.

Photo: Action Images

ItfcLoyal added 21:23 - May 20 good luck to him.
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NottsBlue added 21:23 - May 20 Good luck to him! Will be hard to replace.
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Eggroy added 21:24 - May 20 Best of luck Gareth - Cant blame you for leaving as we couldnt fulfill ur ambitions!
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SitfcB added 21:24 - May 20 Good Luck Gareth! All the best! Top player for us!
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hollywoodginge added 21:29 - May 20 Good luck big mac, none of us begrudge you a shot at the prem whilst your in the best form of your career, you go with our best wishes, you really dug in through difficult times and really won us over, top player, enjoy the main stage.
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jabberjackson added 21:30 - May 20 the very best of luck, you always gave 100% I am nearly as sad you have left as when the very talentedThomas Gaardsoe left to join the Baggies
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Garv added 21:30 - May 20 Good luck big MAC
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nysully added 21:31 - May 20 Good luck big Mac but you were no Jason deVos
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CavendishBlue added 21:31 - May 20 Great news.It means that the signed charity christmas bouble that i 'won' in a silent auction may be worth more now in future....
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xrayspecs added 21:33 - May 20 Good luck GMc - time for you and us to move on.
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Guthrum added 21:35 - May 20 Good player for Ipswich Town, can't begrudge him a move to the Prem. All the best for the future Gareth McAuley.
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itfc1981 added 21:41 - May 20 yep, cant complain, he's put up with a lot of crap players here. all the best. Mind you I hope Norris ends up at a poor team :)
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Paddy39 added 21:48 - May 20 Thanks for everything you gave to Town. A great player for us and I'm sure no one would be grudge you a chance in the Premiership. You will be sadly missed.
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GeorgiDoundarov added 21:48 - May 20 All the best Gareth! As per previous comments we were n0ot able to go up with him so it is understandable why he did it. Hopefully we can find a decent replacement. Now we are in an even tougher position - not only we have to fill some huge holes in the team but dealing with another one - one that we felt very good at before... Doesn't seem an easy job for PJ this summer

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WREXHAM_BLUE added 21:56 - May 20 All the best G Mac. No surprise that only itfc1981 had to put a negative slant on the story with a totally unnecessary comment!
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stoofer added 21:59 - May 20 good luck you sreved us well,i think you will be found out in the premier league too slow not good enough to bring the ball out of defence without a big hoof ,wish u the best
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churchmans added 22:02 - May 20 does the truth hurt WREXHAM BLUES? we are crap but good luck to g mac hopefully he can play at least half the fixtures!
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patthegimp added 22:11 - May 20 Back in the championship next season but at least on prem wages best of luck from an old hatchetman Crues rule ok
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TractorCam added 22:15 - May 20 Good luck GMAC. Hopefully will do well in the prem.
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 22:15 - May 20 Thanks churchmans. Did I rattle your cage? I was referring to the Norris comment but you can GUESS as to what I meant if you like. Did I get your name right by the way?
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itfcsmithlarr added 22:35 - May 20 Good luck Big G, we'll see you in the Premier League in a couple of seasons ;)
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Tractastic added 22:36 - May 20 Good luck GMAC no one could blame you for the opportunity and good luck with the baggies.Hopefully we will have a replacement anounced soon?
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Infineteregress added 22:45 - May 20 Best of luck Mac!
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theblueginger added 22:49 - May 20 Good luck. Him and de vos in their prime together wouldve been a sight to behold. Best of luck, his deserves this shot in the prem.
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tortoise added 23:13 - May 20 Shame he didn't sign a new contract, coz then we could have got some money for him when he went. Gave 100% but lacked big game mentality. Central defence has not been good enough and in the long term might be better that we have to start from scratch. Would have been happy to see Delaney go as well to be honest, hopefully he will be back up to 2 new decent centre halves.

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