Town boss Kieran McKenna has paid tribute to defender Janoi Donacien, who was at Playford Road for the last time yesterday saying his goodbyes ahead of his move to League Two Chesterfield.

TWTD revealed on Tuesday that the 31-year-old St Lucia international is close to joining the Spireites, who are managed by former Blues boss Paul Cook, on a deal to the end of the season.

Donacien was released by the Blues in the summer after six eventful years at the club having missed most of last season with a groin injury but remained at Town as he worked on getting back to full fitness.

McKenna says the Luton-raised defender, who joined the Blues from Accrington during Paul Hurst’s spell as boss ahead of 2018/19, will be missed by all at Town.

“Janoi said his goodbyes in here yesterday to the group and to the staff and quite emotional really because he’s a fantastic person, is loved by everyone here, loved by the supporters as well,” he said.

“He has a brilliant story at the club really, sort of summarises the highs and the lows from arriving and then having a really difficult first season.

“The resilience that he’s shown then in the more difficult times at the club, to be out on loan twice [back to Accrington and to Fleetwood] but to keep coming back and giving his best.

“And then to come full circle, to get back in the team pretty regularly before I arrived and then he played in my first game and had such a massive part in the promotion from League One.

“He also had a big part to play in the squad last year. Started the season really well at right-back, then unfortunately had injuries throughout the season, so wasn’t able to play as much as we would have liked to have had him play, but had a massive part to play behind the scenes.

“Just a great guy, positive energy, great vibe all the time, really good in the dressing room and has written his place in the history of the football club, like so many others in that group.

“He had his operation in the summer, which is thankfully fixed now, the issue that he missed last season with, so he’s been in a pretty good position health-wise this season.

“Has trained with us for the last few months. Apart from one or two little minor side issues, his fitness has been great, he’s looked good in training and he’s just really keen to go out and get some games now.

“So I think he’s going to go and do that at Chesterfield, hopefully, I believe that’s close to completion, and will be sorely missed around the building.

“But he also leaves with great fondness, great memories and having had a big part to play in the club and I know for a fact, like so many others in the group that he’s been with for the last few years, will always be welcome at the club in the years to come.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Somersetractor added 15:29 - Jan 10 Thanks and good luck Janoi !!
19

MickMillsTash added 15:29 - Jan 10 With Morsy he came over to the fans at Barrow and said sorry for what was a dreadful performance. A good guy, a decent defender - good luck, surprised that someone higher has not been in for him.
27

Bazza8564 added 15:32 - Jan 10 Great tribute from KM to JD. Everybody speaks so highly of him as a person. Saw him after a L1 game a couple of years back and he was absolutely terrific. Good luck to you fella
21

chorltonskylineblue added 15:34 - Jan 10 Rock solid defender, did a great job helping us get out of League One. Contrast him and Burgess coming from Accrington Stanley with the Jon Nolan & Toto Nsiala transfers from Shrewsbury (on a relatively big fee at the time). Shows how the club has been transformed in a short space of time. Good luck Janoi, great signing for Chesterfield.
11

algarvefan added 15:36 - Jan 10 Good luck Janoi, a truly decent human being, who's forged partnership with Wes Burns was excellent. Not many gor past him in defence either during his better days at the club.
18

gsoly added 15:37 - Jan 10 What fabulous comments from our manager. Not many clubs in the country would allow an out-of-contract player to do what JD has done the past few months. Proud that ours has.
21

SouperJim added 15:38 - Jan 10 One of the few who have been with us on the whole journey from Championship relegation to where we are today. In many ways how he has performed for us throughout his time here epitomises that journey and I'm sure he now loves the club just like we fans do. We are all Janoi Donacien.
16

mike added 15:41 - Jan 10 Thanks Janos, a great pro, good luck at Chesterfield with Cooky!!
7

SamWhiteUK added 15:43 - Jan 10 Goodnight sweet prince
1

Swailsey added 15:47 - Jan 10 Love you Janoi!
2

Bert added 15:50 - Jan 10 Had a great partnership with Burns. Hope he does well at Chesterfield.
7

Dissboyitfc added 16:02 - Jan 10 Top man and will do well for chesterfield. Good luck Janoi!!
10

LimerickTractorBoy added 16:27 - Jan 10 Best wishes to a loyal, great servant. His contribution to Ipswich will never be forgotten. All the best Janoi.
9

flykickingbybgunn added 16:31 - Jan 10 KMK showing his class again with a fine send off. Good luck Janoi. Chesterfield are a fine club.
11

IpswichT62OldBoy added 16:35 - Jan 10 Lovely words clearly from the heart by K McK. Hope Janoi has a fantastic continuation of his career, maybe another promotion, and remain injury free.
10

chepstowblue added 16:36 - Jan 10 Good luck JD. A consistent performer who reached a level that I didn't think possibly, and very rarely let the team down. Difficult to say anything other than complimentary things about this fella. Looks like a good move for all concerned.
7

chepstowblue added 16:37 - Jan 10 *Possible*
0

KMcBlue added 16:39 - Jan 10 Thanks for everything Janoi, and all the best!!
5

VanDusen added 16:54 - Jan 10 Super player, super person. He's going to do a fantastic job in League Two.
3

vinceg added 16:57 - Jan 10 Another of that group who started us on this journey to whom so much is owed. Chesterfield having a decent season and JD will be a real asset not only at that level, but also in L1 if they go up.
5

Maccaisgod added 17:21 - Jan 10 A vital cog in the machine that got us here today, thanks JD and good luck.
5

AlamoSam added 17:23 - Jan 10 Good luck and thank you JD
4

ChingShady added 18:19 - Jan 10 I genuinely thought he was one of our best 1v1 defenders at the club and only gotten better going forward over the years until the injuries and Kieran's take over. Top guy, top footballer and thank you for helping us get here to where we are today. Forever a blue JD.
4

Linkboy13 added 18:42 - Jan 10 It's always sad when a long serving player departs but Janoi was a very special person with a warm heart and will be greatly missed best wishes to him at his new club.
5

Cakeman added 18:43 - Jan 10 Good luck Janoi, you did us proud in character and ability. Will always be fondly remembered at Portman Road.
4

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