Town have confirmed that central defender Christophe Berra is leaving the club.

The 32-year-old is out of contract and has long been keen to return to Scotland to be closer to his young daughter. The Blues have decided not to take an option to keep the ex-Hearts and Wolves man for a further season to allow him to return home.

Speaking in September, Berra said: “I’ve had a great time down here and as I’ve said before my daughter is four and at some point I’d want to go back home. That’s obvious — all my family and friends are there.”

Speaking to the club site after confirming his departure, he added: “I really enjoyed my four years at Ipswich and I've only got good things to say about the club. I wish everyone there all the success in the future.”

Manager Mick McCarthy initially signed Berra for £2.3 million from Hearts when Wolves manager in 2009, then brought him to Portman Road on a free transfer in the summer of 2013.

“It’s a situation we have been aware of for some time,” McCarthy told the club site.

Town can confirm that Christophe Berra will be leaving the Club for personal reasons. We thank Christophe for his efforts in an #itfc shirt pic.twitter.com/DmwXv4cBNJ

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) May 9, 2017

“He is not doing anything devious, he just wants to spend more time with his daughter and anyone with family can respect that.

“Christophe has been fantastic for us. He has been one of the best defenders in the Championship over the last four years and I didn’t want to lose him but I understand fully why he wants to go back closer to home and we wish him well.”

Speaking on Friday, he said that if football was the only issue he would have kept the 35-times-capped Scotland international at Portman Road.

#itfc's very own Braveheart is leaving Suffolk....

Here we remember his best bits in a Town shirt 🔵⚽️👏🏻

All the best, Christophe! pic.twitter.com/QNhQ2EtDpT– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) May 9, 2017

“Yes, no question he’d be here,” he said. “As a defender, he’s one of the best I’ve worked with. Consistent, plays games, he’s quick, he’s good in the air. He’s just been a pretty much ever-present whenever he’s been fit.

“There was as spell he didn’t play at Wolves but I don’t know how many games he’s played under me, quite a lot I think, 300 maybe.”

He added: “He’s a really top defender, he’s been a really good servant to both clubs, certainly while I’ve been there, and he’s a good guy as well. He’s just a really top professional. I can’t speak highly enough of him actually.”

Berra's former club Hearts have been repeatedly linked over the last year, while Rangers, who were keen to sign him before he joined the Blues, were reported to be interested in January.

The Edinburgh-born defender made 184 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues, scoring 14 goals. He was named the Supporters Player of the Year in 2013/14, his first season at the club.

Photo: TWTD

essextractorboy93 added 10:22 - May 9 Good luck back in Scotland Christophe! Been a rock in defence for the last few years, my particular highlight was his goal at home to Derby in our playoff season. A top pro, thank you for giving 100% during your time here!
5

Lightningboy added 10:32 - May 9 We've certainly had our money's worth - has been a good servant over the last 4 years. Thankfully we've got Smith,Webster,Knudsen and presumably Taylor who can slot in to the centre so need to spend money on defenders this summer. Cheers Christophe.
7

Ipswich24 added 10:37 - May 9 I thought he was brilliant for 1st 2 seasons with us. Constantly mopped up mistakes by others, won everything in air and scored a few too. Good luck Christophe Berra
4

Sixto6 added 10:38 - May 9 Fantastic pro, he was throwing himself into block the ball on sat when our top bloke captain was brushed aside so easily for the 3rd goal.
2

StowTractorBoy added 10:39 - May 9 A proper defender who has rarely let us down. A bit surprised we did not trigger the option to keep him and get a fee if only a nominal amount. Like many others I wish him the best of luck and thank him for his non stop commitment to the cause. I think we will miss him.
2

Razor added 10:40 - May 9 Huge loss this but done for the right reasons. Has been fantastic for Ipswich and lost many teeth in the process. Good luck Christophe in your new life.
4

martin587 added 10:46 - May 9 Great defender,and underrated by many.Will be a big loss to the team.I wish him all the very best.Theres going to be one very happy daughter now.👍
5

bluearmy78 added 10:48 - May 9 I wish you all the best, always gave 100% but definitely the right time to part company. Now please get in a younger exciting CB in the Adam Webster mold
2

TR11BLU added 10:51 - May 9 Good move for all concerned, his best years behind him now, best of luck CB. Taylor is not the answer, another injury prone high earner who Dino will put square pegs in round holes to accomodate at the expense of the team. FOMM
-1

GeoffSentence added 10:57 - May 9 Good defender, really good defender, one of the best in the championship. We should get a decent transfer fee.
0

chrisw2045 added 11:02 - May 9 Massive player but right time, leaves with our best wishes. Chambers, Webster and Smith as back 3 with possibility of Taylor, or alternative. Knudson was a better player in a back 3 too. We are OK at the back, further up the field we need to look moving forward.
3

Len_Brennan added 11:07 - May 9 Great defender for us, particularly over the first 2 years. I wish him well. I also applaud the club for not taking up the extra year in this instance. He has seen out his contract & his reasons for wanting to leave are noble. We have wasted a huge amount of money settling up the contracts of useless players who gave nothing for the club, this is a case of a decent bloke being treated with respect.

6

theblueginger added 11:19 - May 9 All the best Bez. A superb CB for us in out Play-off season. I can see him joining Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen up there. Saw what you will about MM and the club atm, not kudos to them for not standing i Berra's way by activating the clause. Family comes first.
3

brian_a_mul added 11:29 - May 9 Credit to Marcus Evans and MM for putting the person first. Chambo, Smith and Webster are first teamers so its means finding adequate back up. Knudesen is better in back 3 so he can fill in on the left side too when we play that system. Its not a disaster and it will free up a relatively big wage. Thanks Christophe, you have been a great servent. Best of luck to you and family.

3

ericgatesrules added 12:08 - May 9 Thanks for your efforts Christophe. Best of luck in the future.
2

bostonusablue added 12:11 - May 9 I can't wait until this headline applies to McCarthy! What a joyous day that will be.
3

jas0999 added 12:13 - May 9 No surprise here. Wish him all the very best for the future. Completely understandable, but thank you for your service. big loss to an already average squad, which is now even weaker with the loans and Berra departing. Much to do this Summer.
2

Keaneish added 12:15 - May 9 The right decision all round. Excellent defender for the first three seasons here and the best defender we've had in a long time during the play-off season. The time is right though. Sure he'll have a good two or three years left playing up in Scotland.
4

mickeyjb added 12:23 - May 9 Good luck to him and all the best. Can go with his head held high, as all the comments are positive ones on here.
1

woohoo added 12:30 - May 9 Shame to see him go - but fully understand his reasons. Good defender and always seemed to stay focussed. Lack of focus (literally taking their eye off the ball) has been a major problem with some of our players this year. Still, it's up to the manager to instill that focus in the team he picks.....
1

JimmyP45 added 12:33 - May 9 Will be a huge loss. Was probably our most reliable defender. Time for Webster to step up and show how important he can be for us.
1

Town_Jewells added 12:38 - May 9 I would suggest that Berra has been the most consistent player of any position at the club during his time here. He will be a big loss, the margins are such that he could be the difference between staying up or going down if we don't replace him well next season.
2

runaround added 13:10 - May 9 Good luck Christophe thanks for your efforts
2

planetblue_2011 added 13:15 - May 9 Good luck Christophe you have been a great defender for us👍🏻
1

Keanos_Barmy added 13:32 - May 9 Can anyone confirm whether there is any truth in the rumour that the club have lined up a replacement centre half that is currently on the fringes of the Forest Green Rovers first team squad?
1

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