Departed full-back Jonny Parr says Town wanted him to stay at Portman Road but that he was keen to return home to Norway and join Strømsgodset. The 27-year-old completed his switch this morning, signing a contract until the summer of 2019, for a fee understood to be in the region of £70,000.
Parr, whose wife is currently pregnant, confirmed that the move was down to a desire to go back home to Norway and to play regular first-team football, his opportunities having been limited at Portman Road.
"They were not happy to let me go in Ipswich, but I figured that it was fine for us to go home to Norway now,” Parr told the Strømsgodset official website. "And Godset was a sensible alternative. My ambitions and the club's go well together.”
He added: ”I am very excited to play left-back week in, week out. It's good to have one position to concentrate on. The way Strømsgodset is playing football is very nice, and I look forward to being a part of it."
Flo om Parr-signeringen: En gledens dag for Strømsgodset. #godset2016 https://t.co/pkyCTF5KaT pic.twitter.com/hIAXXo0X5q– Strømsgodset Fotball (@strmsgodset) January 13, 2016
The former Crystal Palace man says he enjoyed his five years in English football: "I'll take very much from my time in England. It was incredibly informative and nice. It's a lot tougher every day over there, another culture, both good and bad.
"I hope I can contribute with experience and professionalism, and by being a leading figure in the group. I will help the many good young players and gladly give them advice if they fancy it.”