Former Blues winger Finidi George has described his spell at Portman Road as “unfortunate”.

The Nigerian international was one of George Burley’s big signings in the summer of 2001 as the Blues looked to build on their fifth place in the Premier League, having cost £3.1 million from Real Mallorca

Despite a dramatic home debut when he scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Derby, the former Ajax man’s time at Town was ultimately a huge disappointment.

“Yeah, what happened at Ipswich Town was really unfortunate because I went there with high spirits and high hopes,” Nigerian newspaper The Nation quotes.

“Actually I started the league season with them on a high note but after the third or fourth game [actually his 12th] I broke my cheekbone against Fulham when somebody elbowed me and I had to go through a surgery on my cheekbone which kept me out for three or four weeks.

“When I came back, I started playing again trying to get match fitness but when I was almost match fit and getting back to the same rhythm before I sustained the injury I had to go for [Africa] Nations Cup [duty] and by the time I came back the team was already struggling and there was nothing I could do.

“That was a sad story that I didn’t expect would end up that way but it was the reality. I broke my cheekbone and I later went for the AFCON and when I came back the team was struggling.

“We tried but it was not possible to keep the team in the top flight. The team got relegated and they went into administration and we all had to leave. It was a short spell and it was unfortunate.”

In the summer of 2003, with George not part of then-manager Joe Royle’s plans, Town settled the remaining two years of the winger’s contract, an agreement which was understood to see him paid £1 million over the next 18 months.

”It might be an understatement to say that his career with Ipswich has been as disappointing for the club as it has, no doubt, for him,” chairman David Sheepshanks said in a statement at the time.

“Despite the cost, early termination of the contract made best sense for Ipswich Town.”

George made 30 Blues starts and 16 sub appearances, scoring eight goals.

Photo: Action Images

braveblue added 15:16 - Apr 11 He was sheer class in that Sunderland game though. Well above anyone else. Great shame he could not keep that up.
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spanishblue added 18:36 - Apr 11 Liverpool destroyed us when we went on a good run, they came to us and Heskey frightened our defense to pieces
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Skip73 added 21:05 - Apr 11 8 goals in 30 starts and 16 sub appearances, better goals per game ratio than Will Keane and at a higher level.
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Northstandveteran added 17:07 - Apr 12 No one seems to have mentioned that he was played out of position almost every game after his debut.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 18:45 - Apr 12 Will he still get a telegram from the queen this year, or us he still "about 28"?
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Razor added 11:10 - Apr 13 He at least gave us a great football song I too remember him more for the way game at Spurs that year. I am sure you have all heard the Joe Royle quote but in these low times worth repeating. Asked about Finidi----"IF HE IS 36 I AM 8 STONE"----and that was on one of those lunchtime footy shows-----brilliant.
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Radlett_blue added 18:25 - Apr 13 His debut was a few days before at Sunderland. He was a bit of a lost soul up front & was bullied off the ball, but when Pablo came on & Finidi moved to the right & found space we looked a threat. Unfortunately, GB didn't seem to learn from that game, although Finidi did play on the right a few days later at home to Derby.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 18:28 - Apr 17 The home debut against Derby is one of my all time favourite games at PR, we (well Finidi) just ripped them apart, and the ground echoed with "Finidi, he drives a big tractor, he comes from Africa". was also at the game against Sunderland, and he was fantastic in that, but his brilliance was intermittent, no doubt due to his age, what was he really, 40? 43? But thanks for the memories, even if it didn't work out for us.

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