New Blues striker Michael Chopra has hit out at rumours regarding his off-field behaviour ahead of Cardiff’s vital match against Middlesbrough in May, which they lost 3-0. The 27-year-old joined Town from the Bluebirds for £1.5 million earlier this month.

Chopra, speaking in a lengthy interview in the South Wales Echo, said the claims which circulating amongst Cardiff fans prior to the Boro match were untrue: “It all got out of hand — it was crazy what people were saying and the record needs to be put straight.

“I was not out drinking on the Sunday night before the Middlesbrough game, no way, it would have been totally unprofessional.

“We were all at the presentation night [Friday] and myself and couple of other players went out after the presentations were made. But this was three days before the Middlesbrough game on the Monday.

“I’m not a heavy drinker and that night I was drinking Red Bull. From that the whole story was blown out of proportion — it was ridiculous.”

The former Sunderland and Newcastle man says he was greatly affected by fans’ reactions to the rumours: “Supporters were saying that I was a disgrace and should be kicked out and that kind of stuff - I was very hurt and upset about the whole thing because the worst thing was it was not true.

“I would apologise to any Cardiff City supporter if they thought I was out getting drunk the night before a massive game like Middlesbrough, but I was not out that night.

“Looking back,” he continued. “I should never have gone out after that presentation do [on the Friday] and after two and a half years at Cardiff the only thing I regret is going out that night.“

The striker, who has signed a three-year deal at Portman Road, says no new terms had been offered by the Bluebirds prior to his switch to Town: “I would have stayed at Cardiff City. I had another year left on my contract and nothing was discussed about extending it.

“I’m not the type of player who just wants to see out a contract then move on and the club get nothing.

“I would have loved to have stayed at the club for longer and whether Cardiff would have offered me a new contract later on, I don’t know.

“I’m excited about a new move and a fresh challenge. I know four or five players at Ipswich from my time at Sunderland, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

ITFC4daprem added 13:16 - Jun 30 Hes ares now
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blue_em_away added 13:16 - Jun 30 Head down and start again Choppy.
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SamWhiteUK added 13:20 - Jun 30 Not suprised he knows some people from Sunderland who are now here at Ipswich!!
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whoppit added 13:21 - Jun 30 So, Cardiff didn't offer you new terms Chops?? I wonder why?? Hey, I heard that when you played for Sunderland and got recalled from your loan at Cardiff, you missed an absolute sitter against your boyhood heroes Newcastle that any numpty could have scored. After been scolded by teammates, you were quickly shipped back to Cardiff on a permanent deal. Too much baggage here. No wonder Ipswich beat off competition from NOBODY else to sign you !!!!

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bobble added 13:23 - Jun 30 butter wouldn't melt in his mouth... he's such a refreshing honest upstanding sort of bloke to have around
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Upbeat~ added 13:23 - Jun 30 Just red bull and Jägermeister. Good choice Chops. Ignore comments from others - as long as you and your team know you're a professional, that's all that matters.
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dobbie73 added 13:25 - Jun 30 Lol, I read that as "Chopra hits out at CLAMS" ...... Oops. Fail.
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TractorMan added 13:28 - Jun 30 Not exactly glowing in terms of coming here - "i would have stayed at Cardiff".. Ok, it has probably been spun by the welsh paper, but is not great PR!
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petieboy2011 added 13:29 - Jun 30 Score the goals for us this season Chops and then get the beers in! You couldnt try and persuade Peter Whittingham to sign down here as well could you??
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theblueginger added 13:33 - Jun 30 If you get 25 goals this season, i will personally buy you a bottle of whisky.
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townupnorth added 13:35 - Jun 30 I'm intrigued Whoppit, you are clearly clueless when it comes to football and even moreso clearly not a really Town fan, however just for sh*ts and giggles do tell who exactly would you sign if you were the Town boss. It obvious you disagree with every player to pull on a Town shirt so you must have a wise and wonderful knowledge as to who we should sign, considering our realistic budgets etc, therefore don't come out with botty water about Messi, Ronaldo and Drogba but actual player we could sign. I think after all the nonesense you write on here we would all be very interested to hear your honest opinion of potential signings, thats presuming you have any trousers to back up your mouth?!

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robdaful added 13:36 - Jun 30 Show them Chopra. Knock the goals in.
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petieboy2011 added 13:39 - Jun 30 Have some shots, score some goals, then have some more shots :)
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radiogaga added 13:39 - Jun 30 Whoppit, we have all gathered over the last month that you don't like Michael Chopra for some reason, but at least get your facts straight (rather than say what "you heard") and stop boring us with your constant sulky little posts... Thank you. All in support of Chops, raise your hands!
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SamWhiteUK added 13:52 - Jun 30 *raises hand* I!
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bobble added 13:53 - Jun 30 let whoppet be you net bullies ........remember free speech or are u all to nasty and arrogant to listen to another opinion ?
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daniel9624 added 13:54 - Jun 30 Don't care about last wek, last month, last season, all that matters is this one. 25 goals and even whoopit will shut up!!
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DiamondGezzer added 14:00 - Jun 30 My hands are held high Radiogaga. Are whoppit and bobble one and the same ? The reason I ask is because I feel these two would make a double act. Abad one !
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townupnorth added 14:03 - Jun 30 bobble - i'm more than happy to listen to another opinion hence my questions to him, however over a considerable time he doesn't offer opinions just abuse at anything the club does which becomes tiresome, i have no problem to someone disagreeing with decisions made by the club as we are guilty of that from time to time but back up your claims with constructive objections which lead to further discussions within the group, after all that it was a fan forum is about. With response to claims we are nasty and arrogant i feel you judge us quicker than we judge him which sits you under the very branch you hit us with, after all it's only an opinion. As i say i'd be happy to hear his honest opinions on who he believes we should sign.

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Ipswich24 added 14:29 - Jun 30 Maybe Chops can be the Next Marcus Stewart he loved a drink didnt do him any harm feed him chops and he will score lol
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Bergholtblue added 14:46 - Jun 30 Whoppit only does to wind people up. He gets off on it. Don't bother to comment. Do what I do and scroll to the nxt post. He will soon get tired and find something else to do.
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Tractamatt added 14:50 - Jun 30 This is my first comment on this forum, which I read several times aday and find MOST comments well thought out and insitefull, But understand one thing whoppit, bobble and any other budgie botherers on this site, Michael Chopra will score goals for our club next season and will contribute greatly to a much more successfull season than we have had in recent times so he and any other new signing he get should be given our full support and welcomed inthe way they should, not moaned about by some know nothing morons before they even kick a ball in anger!

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MaySixth added 15:08 - Jun 30 Not sure why he feels the need to apologise to fans who thought he was doing something he wasn't doing.
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ITFC1812 added 15:39 - Jun 30 “I'm not the type of player who just wants to see out a contract then move on and the club get nothing" He's having a go at McAuley and Norris...I'm with you Chops, splitters!
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Surco72 added 16:52 - Jun 30 I like Whoppits posts it makes me feel so much better about my own life that his life is so sad ,the man cannot even get any pleasure or entertainment from supporting his choice of football team ,surely the reason for doing so ? Chopra will prove to be a very good signing and once again Whoppit will be proved wrong ,has he predicted anything correctly ?
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