Midfielder Luciano Civelli has left Town by mutual consent, the club having settled the remaining year of his contract. The Argentinian is set to join Paraguayan club Libertad later today.

The 24-year-old says his time with the Blues won’t be forgotten, despite his injury-hit two and a half years at Portman Road hardly going to plan: "It's a decision that I'm happy with.

"I will never forget the supporters at Ipswich. They were fantastic to me when I first arrived here and especially when I was injured.

"I would meet fans around the town and they would always ask how I was getting on. The reaction I got when I played my first game after the injury for the first team was very special — it was an emotional moment for me.

"I want to thank the medical staff at the club, the coaches, the manager and the other players. They have all been great to me and I wish Ipswich all the best for the future."

Speaking before leaving for South America and with his Paraguayan deal yet to be completed, he added: "This is the right move for me. It happens in football that things don’t always work out.

“But I am still young and there are hopefully a few opportunities for me back home to join a club, get my career going again and play regular first team football.

"My knee is 100 per cent now but I have missed a lot of football and want to make up for those times. I hope Ipswich have a good season and want to wish the club well."

Blues boss Paul Jewell said he hopes the midfielder has a more successful time with his future clubs: "Luca worked hard to get back after what was obviously a bad injury and wants to be playing regular football again. We wish him every success for the future."

Civelli joined Town from Banfield in Argentina in January 2009 for a fee of £1.1 million when the club was under Jim Magilton’s management.

Having impressed in his early games for the Blues, two months after signing on at Portman Road, the Pehuajó-born player suffered a serious multi-ligament injury in the 1-1 home draw with Burnley, only his eighth match for the club.

That injury sidelined him for the next 23 months, the left-sided midfield man only returning to the first team as a sub in the 3-0 home victory over Sheffield United in February of this year.

Eight more substitute appearances followed but without Civelli ever seriously looking like he would force his way into Paul Jewell’s starting line-up.

Much the same was true this pre-season. After being included in the party which made the trip to Holland and having started the opening match against FC Eindhoven, Civelli dropped into the reserves squad and his last game for the Blues was the second string friendly at Bury Town last Wednesday.

Photo: Action Images

asajennings added 06:14 - Jul 28 Good luck Luca. You looked great in those first eight matches, especially linking up with Gio in that draw with Burnley in which you suffered that awful injury. It's a shame it didn't work out for you at Town and I wish you well during your career.
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Fen69 added 06:17 - Jul 28 All the best for the future Luca, it was a real shame you got injured just when you were making the Left Midfield place your own! Take care big man.
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trueblues78 added 06:17 - Jul 28 Good luck to him!! A real shame what happened to him
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DiamondGezzer added 06:39 - Jul 28 When you think of the potential he brought with him when he first joined ! It just goes to show how short a playing career can be. Hope your career gets back on track.
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bigdave_blue added 07:05 - Jul 28 I always hoped he would regain fitness and become a regular in the first team to show his full potential again, Good luck to him in his new club and rebuilding his career.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 07:05 - Jul 28 Good luck Luca. Obviously never got to see much of you at all, hope it works out for you nearer home.
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TractorMan added 07:22 - Jul 28 Real shame, but just goes to show the mental issues in recovering can sometimes override the physical. Good luck and hope he can find some pleasure in playing again and get his confidence back.
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Back_The_Boss added 07:23 - Jul 28 Good luck for future Luca, shame it never worked out for you at Town.
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Mark added 07:28 - Jul 28 Such a shame that he was never the same after the injury, but he has been fit a year now and not been able to get near the first team so this seems the right decision all round. Good luck Luca.
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randlemcmurphy added 08:01 - Jul 28 Ipswich are better than everybody!!!
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BlueMaverick added 08:08 - Jul 28 Good luck luca!! Such a shame things didnt work out but i hope career can finally kick on! Take care big man..
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 08:13 - Jul 28 Yeah cheers LePen MkII We'll pay your salary for 23 months and get you fit again for the benefit of another club and for good measure we'll settle up the rest pf your contract as well?? Nice work this professional football player malarky!!!
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DutchTractorboy added 08:14 - Jul 28 All the best Luciano! May your luck be a bit better than you had over here.
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UsualSuspect added 08:28 - Jul 28 Good luck Luca. delias_cheesy-flaps. What a knobhead!
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CraigForrestGateau added 08:28 - Jul 28 Deliascheesyflaps: Nice. Spoken like a true fan. Idiot.
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CraigForrestGateau added 08:29 - Jul 28 Deliascheesyflaps: Nice. Spoken like a true fan. Idiot.
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billtheblue added 08:29 - Jul 28 delias cheesy flaps you muppet you try having your knee in a brace for 12 months.you would loose your job and have to find work with a few more months of re hab, good on itfc for helping him through a bad time .
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mwhitfc added 08:36 - Jul 28 I am gutted we are losing Civelli, for the 8 or so games before the injury, he was brilliant! He has got talent in abundance, and Libertad are going to benefit greatly from this. All the best Luca :)
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raycrawfordswig added 08:41 - Jul 28 Good luck Luca
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solemio added 08:42 - Jul 28 dcf, you have the choice of not watching the footballers that you describe so eloquently. Best of luck to Luca.
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BlueBoots added 08:45 - Jul 28 Buena Suerte Luca
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Ipswich24 added 08:47 - Jul 28 Real shame Luca got that injury just when looked like we were going to get a fantastic player from overseas. But I have watche him come on in some games last season and his confidence is shot to bits no wonder after almost two years out of the game good luck Luca
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solemio added 08:49 - Jul 28 d_c_f, you have the choice of not watching the footballers you describe with such eloquence. Good luck, Luca.
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tractorboybig added 08:49 - Jul 28 2 years wages for 8 games. Not a bad return.
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fourpee added 08:52 - Jul 28 Good luck Luca, Shame to see you go but its for the best.
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