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Civelli Leaves Town and is On Way to Paraguay - Ipswich Town News

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.

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