Blues forward Armando Dobra says his plan is to develop his game during his season-long loan at Colchester, help the U’s to promotion from League Two and then break into the team at Portman Road.

The 20-year-old’s temporary switch to the JobServe Community Stadium was the only move out of Town on the final day of the transfer window, TWTD having revealed that the deal had been done on Monday.

“I was focused on staying at Ipswich and fighting for my shirt,” Dobra told Col U TV.

“But I spoke to the gaffer [Paul Cook] and he felt that it was best for me to go on loan and get games and that’s the most important thing for me.

“What I want to do here is get promotion with Colchester — that’s the aim for me. I’ve come here to develop my game a bit more and hopefully go back and break into the team there — that’s the plan really.

“I was just happy to get it over the line and play with the team because I want to play games.

“Both the manager and the way the club wants to go forward with their aims for the season, they intrigued me and I just want to be part of it.

“There was interest from Colchester about a week or so ago and once I heard that they were interested, I couldn’t wait to come here. I told my agent to sort it out for me — that’s what he did and now I’m here.

“The boys here are very good and I know them from last year, as well and the other lads as well.

“The squad is really good and I think it’ll be a very good season for us if we all gel together and we can see what happens.”

Dobra believes his best position is behind the main striker: “My favourite position is the number 10 role — that’s where I’ve played most of my U23 games at Ipswich and that’s my favourite position.

“I can play on the left as well and I can play across the three but my best two are my number 10 and the left.”

The Albanian U21 international has had plenty of good wishes from Town supporters since making his move.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with the Ipswich fans — I really do love the Ipswich fans,” he added.

“But it’s time for me to come here, do my thing and go back there and break into the team.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Unhinged_dynamo added 10:01 - Sep 2 I really really hope dobs goes on to have a great career, hopefully with us. He is already a good player and seems to have a great attitude. He'll be a real asset in the championship next year for us after a full season playing
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Sharkey added 10:12 - Sep 2 Interesting. He had options, so Colchester clearly did a good job persuading him that Tiptree is the place to be. Alan Judge also said that he signed on the basis that the Number 10 role was his, so it'll be interesting to see if they both play at the same time. The guy who's been playing on the left, Conrad Jasper, looks to be a fantastic talent, but at 19 perhaps not ready for 90 minutes every game. (On a side note, - you can take the boy out of Ipswich, but you can't take the 'gel' word out of his vocabulary that easy!)

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TB42 added 10:21 - Sep 2 Good luck Armando, look forward to seeing you back at Portman Road in the not too distant future 👍!!
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GiveusaWave added 10:22 - Sep 2 Excellent signing for Colchester and has been one of our best players for some time now...good luck to him!
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BlueRuin69 added 10:24 - Sep 2 Very good player already but more than that seems to have the right attitude. I dont think he is far off being in the ipswich 18 right now but a year in league two can only benefit him and us. Coyb
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SouperJim added 10:26 - Sep 2 Love Dobra's attitude, I get the impression his self-belief borders on arrogance, which is not a bad attribute to have in a professional footballer. He certainly isn't worried about upsetting anyone or showing the opposition too much respect, as ironically we saw at Colchester in preseason with Chambers shoving him around and trying to put him back in his box. Really hope he can be a success long term at ITFC.

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tractorboy12341234 added 10:39 - Sep 2 Dobs has a great attitude, go smash league 2 and claim your starting place here after
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Chrisd added 10:40 - Sep 2 This is a good move for all concerned. He can have a season away playing regular first team football and he'll arrive back with us a more confident and finer player. A win, win situation.
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itfcserbia added 10:42 - Sep 2 Was kind of hoping he'd get League 1 football but let's see. Certainly one for the future. Good luck Dobs.
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Dissboyitfc added 12:09 - Sep 2 Good player potentially a very good player, the attitude he has will take him a long way!
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braveblue added 12:45 - Sep 2 Refreshing attitude. Just hope we get him back and he continues to develop. Could be a star.
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timkatieadamitfc added 13:49 - Sep 2 Should have kept him, why have we signed a player like aluko, his squad place should be dobras and there is currently one regular for us who I'd rather we loaned out now I've seen our squad after deadline. Pretty much every time he plays people say he's had a good game and he seems like he's got a great attitude. Should have gone to another league 1 team at least, but will probably be another one that gets sold(probably to a championship team) because I don't think his face fits with Cook, good player who IMO is too good to be playing in l2

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ringwoodblue added 14:18 - Sep 2 TimKatieAdam - Spot on, couldn't agree more with everything you say. Why Aluko is here and Dobs is not is beyond me too.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 15:17 - Sep 2 Good man, great attitude, he will do it.
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Pezzer added 17:57 - Sep 2 I saw him play for the under 18s in a pre season against Sudbury a few years back, Hurst had just taken over and turned up.at the game. Dobra's quality stood out for all to see, he had a great game. I saw Dyer congratulate him and two of his family were there, equally delighted with the performance. This guy is a diamond and will definitely play at a higher level.
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Daniel72 added 21:27 - Sep 2 I think I might start supporting Colchester
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blue2thecore added 12:08 - Sep 3 Dobra will be back, bigger & better...
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shakytown added 13:58 - Sep 3 What a fantastic attitude to what i'm sure is a disappointment for him. Cook has said how highly he rates him and now he just needs game time and experience and to strengthen up. hope he does really well.
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