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

BlueCuppaTea added 14:57 - Jul 28 Good luck Luca. Really sad to see you go but hope you get back to the level you were when you joined us and better. I for one will be googling your progress. I'm proud to be an ITFC fan knowing we support and respect our players when they suffer injuries whilst on our books, that's exactly as it should be and the risk club's take when they sign any player. I am also so pleased to see so many supportive fans commenting on here sending their best wishes and wishing him luck for the future. Shows that disrespectful, bigoted fans are in the minority.

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petersongoal added 14:58 - Jul 28 A real shame, good luck to you mate. On the several occasions we spoke, you were always so friendly. I'm really sorry it hasn't worked out for you here. Good luck in the future.
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gav_g added 15:28 - Jul 28 Good luck luca, shame it didnt work out as you looked so promising when you first came
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ITFC4daprem added 16:04 - Jul 28 Shame what happened good luck only Martin, O'Connor and JET now COYB
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Immy added 16:51 - Jul 28 Churchmans - when I was talking about "idiocy, contempt and nastiness" I was talking generally about the negative things that happen in football - and there is a long list of idiotic, contemptuous and nasty things that have happened in football, though they by no means define the sport. These things happen largely due to the attitudes of SOME (but by no means all) players, chairmen, owners, managers, fans etc and that get far more attention than when good things happen, or people just get on. It was not a specific dig at Ipswich Town fans, the club or any individuals.

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jas0999 added 17:18 - Jul 28 Best of luck to Luciano, but it would seem Roy was for once right - there was a clearly more of a mental issue (rather than physical) following what was a very bad injury. Clearly PJ has seen this two and I think it's a good decision by both parties to move on.
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blue_em_away added 17:35 - Jul 28 I did say 9 months or so ago that his mental strength has gone after watching him in the resies. I was hoping I was wrong, but I wasn't. Wish you all the best. As your young, maybe you should start at the bottom and work your way up again, building the confidence as you go.
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chepstowblue added 17:44 - Jul 28 Guess well never know what type of player we had in Luca.Never saw him beat a man,never saw him put in a decent cross and seemed very flimsy for a Sth .American,and even if fully fit i dont think he d hav made much impression. That aside i echo the good luck wishes and hope his career gets back on track.
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Wolfowitz added 18:17 - Jul 28 I not sure I understand this talk about wasted money. Wasn't Cevelli insured?
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h32 added 21:51 - Jul 28 ......... didn't work out for him, not just because of the bad injury either - another young player leaves the Club and will realise his potential elsewhere no doubt. Not at all sure the philosophy at this Club is correct - just hope it all comes right at some distant point.
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Sindre94 added 23:28 - Jul 28 thanks for everything, a tiny legend in my days as an Ipswich fan, so far! good luck luca, all the best
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 13:13 - Jul 29 Good luck Luca. Shame things didn't work out but you've done brilliantly so far to get over an horrendous injury and be back playing. Good luck for the future in Paraguay and beyond.
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kingwiz71 added 16:00 - Jul 29 For some reason this was one player I wanted to do well. Maybe it was because he was Argentinian and I wanted a bit of flair at Ipswich. I am a little gutted and I was always looking out each match day to see if he was back and would hope he would get glowing reviews. Best of luck Luca.
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