TWTD understands former Blues defender Janoi Donacien is close to joining League Two Chesterfield on a deal to the end of the season.

Donacien was out of contract with Town at the end of last season but has remained at the club recovering from the groin surgery which had curtailed his 2023/24 in November last year and then an ankle problem he suffered on international duty with St Lucia in September.

The 31-year-old will be reunited with former Blues boss Paul Cook with the Spireites along with winger Armando Dobra, as well as Gary Roberts and Kieron Dyer, who are on the staff with the Derbyshire side.

Donacien joined the Blues from Accrington Stanley in the summer of 2018, one of incoming boss Paul Hurst’s signings from the lower leagues.

Having been sent back to Accrington and then Fleetwood on loan by Paul Lambert, the Luton-raised defender went on to become one of the most successful of that summer’s additions along with his former Stanley teammate Kayden Jackson and was a key man in the early days of Kieran McKenna’s time at Town.

In total, he made 111 starts and 24 sub appearances for the club without scoring.

Photo: Matchday Images

gkroon89 added 14:10 - Jan 7 Good luck Donacien. Proved to be a decent signing.
31

TractorCam added 14:12 - Jan 7 Great to see him nearing a return, and what an asset he'll be in League 2 if he stays injury free. Best of luck to him.
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itfchorry added 14:13 - Jan 7 All the Best JD - Great signing and Top Guy-
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PortmanTerrorist added 14:16 - Jan 7 All the best JD. 2 divisions too low but as rehabilitation goes, this sounds like a great fit and hope it works out for all concerned. PS well done ITFC for standing by JD during this challenging time. Seems obvious/decent thing to do, but would never have happened under previous ownership.
32

Gforce added 14:30 - Jan 7 I'd forgotten all about Janoi,but best of luck at Chesterfield. Was a good solid right back for us and very underrated.
15

Edmundo added 14:47 - Jan 7 Loved his goal celebration with Burns in the L1 days. Sad to see him go,, but glad he can still ply his trade after so long out. Thanks JD and good luck!
12

bringmeaKuqi added 14:52 - Jan 7 Looked comfortable at Championship level, so let's hope he can contribute to what is proving to be a very competitive Chesterfield team. Like us, they have a habit of winning. Of all the Hurst signings, he turned out the best.
12

rickw added 15:08 - Jan 7 Great signing for them! He's at least a top L1 level player
10

ArnieM added 15:11 - Jan 7 Good luck Janoi, you're a top pro and there's miles in those legs yet.
10

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:31 - Jan 7 Cult hero. All the best Janoi.
12

Swailsey added 15:43 - Jan 7 All the best Janoi - they’re getting a hell of a player there. Bloody love him.
9

Razor added 15:45 - Jan 7 Good luck JD your collaboration with Wes was for some time awesome and not to be forgotten
10

cymroglas added 15:47 - Jan 7 Good to hear this. Too good a player and character not to be playing. Much maligned at times but in the end proved to be a solid signing and a dependable player. Would have though he could have played at L1 or Championship level. Best of luck JD.
5

Linkboy13 added 16:13 - Jan 7 Very good signing and played his part in Ipswich town's return to the big time. Don't know the state of his fitness but if he's anywhere near fully fit will be a big attribute to Chesterfield's squad. I wonder if Matt Penney will end up there after leaving Rochdale after only two months strange one that being only 26 years old.
4

kiwiblue added 16:40 - Jan 7 Congrats JD. Hope you do well for them they seem on the up. Have fun interpreting the sqeaky instructions. Really enjoyed watching you in L1 and at Sunderland. You and Wes quite exceptional
3

kiwiblue added 16:40 - Jan 7 Congrats JD. Hope you do well for them they seem on the up. Have fun interpreting the sqeaky instructions. Really enjoyed watching you in L1 and at Sunderland. You and Wes quite exceptional
1

terryf added 17:21 - Jan 7 Such a good player for us and linked up so well with Wes especially on the overlap. Probably unlucky not to get player of the year award, although Wes that season just pipped him for the honours, although not by much in my opinion! A solid defender and excellent in one on one situations. Lets hope that he stays fit and does well for Chesterfield.
9

Bazza8564 added 17:48 - Jan 7 Met him once, struck me as an amazingly warm and friendly fella. I wish him nothing but success
6

Bazza8564 added 17:48 - Jan 7 Met him once, struck me as an amazingly warm and friendly fella. I wish him nothing but success
2

Broadbent23 added 17:50 - Jan 7 Thank you Janoi for being part of our journey back to the promised land. Good luck with Chesterfield.
6

IpswichT62OldBoy added 18:07 - Jan 7 I wish him well and he he helps Paul Cook to some success all the better.
5

pablo123 added 18:42 - Jan 7 Well you leave with lots of love in the bank here janoi , all the very best mate
8

blueboy1981 added 19:15 - Jan 7 Best Wishes Janoi - Cook knows what you can do for Chesterfield, would be a huge asset to them. You’ve done us proud for sure. Thank You.
6

MK1 added 19:16 - Jan 7 You go with all my thanks. A true professional and a gent. I wish you well young man.
2

Bad_Boy_Mark added 22:04 - Jan 7 Absolutely gutted about this...I guess the romantic in me thought that Janoi would come back here in some capacity. Chesterfield are getting an excellent player, a consummate professional and a wonderful human being. My young Son's ITFC hero over the past few years, and JD treated him like my boy was his own every time we saw him. Best of luck Janoi, always a Blues legend and adored in this household, you will be hugely missed especially by your little guy!

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