Town have agreed to cancel keeper Shane Supple’s contract at the player’s request as he looks to pursue a career away from football. The 22-year-old says his heart is no longer in the game and he will be returning to Ireland to consider his future.
The Republic of Ireland U21 cap told the club site: "It's something that I have been thinking about for a long while.
"It's obviously a big decision but I feel that playing professional football is not something I want to continue doing as a career. There is no one reason why I have made my decision, there are a number of factors, but deep down my heart is not in the game any more and I'm not going to go into work every day trying to convince myself that it is, so it's the right time for me to walk away.
"I suppose you could say that I have fallen out of love with the game and when then happens, I've always said to myself that I wouldn't hang around. All I wanted to do when I was younger was play in the Premier League, but as you grow up you realise that there are other things in life and, to be honest, the game is not what I thought it was.
"I want to thank the manager for the support he has given me. He was a bit shocked when I told him and I expected that but he understood my reasons. He's been first class. People probably think I'm crazy but I'm not going to stay in the game for anyone else, I'm making this decision for myself.
"I've worked with some great people in my time at Ipswich Town and had some great times at the club. It's a fantastic football club and I'll continue to follow Ipswich's fortunes. The supporters have been brilliant as well and always backed me and I want to thank them for that wonderful support.
"This is the right decision for me now. I'm going back to Ireland to spend time with my family and look at my options but they won't be in football."
Chief executive Simon Clegg thanked Supple for his contribution while with Town: "On behalf of the club I would like to put on record our thanks to Shane for his commitment to Ipswich Town both on and off the pitch in his six years at Portman Road.
"It's obviously disappointing news for us but we respect Shane's reasons for wanting a career change and we wish him every success for the future."
Supple joined the academy at 15, spending the final year of his schooling at Playford Road and was a member of the 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning side, picking up the man of the match award in the second leg of the final against Southampton.
A keen hurler and Gaelic footballer, Supple, who signed a new one-year contract this summer, made 36 starts and two sub appearances for the Blues, in addition to loan spells at Falkirk and Oldham. The Carling Cup tie at Shrewsbury a week ago was his final game.
Town are already close to adding another keeper to their squad with TWTD revealing that Bohemian stopper Brian Murphy would be on his way to Portman Road when the Irish season ends in November.
The announcement of Supple’s shock exit may suggest that Murphy’s recruitment has been moved forward or that another keeper could be coming in on loan between now and January when Murphy would be able to play if he signs in November as had been planned.
The Blues only other keeper at present is youngster Ian McLoughlin, who could make his senior debut at Peterborough next week if no other keeper is signed by then.