Massimo Luongo is one of the best Ipswich Town transfers along with Jason DeVos and Daryl Murphy. (Image: PA/Newsquest)
Massimo Luongo is one of the best Ipswich Town transfers along with Jason DeVos and Daryl Murphy. (Image: PA/Newsquest)
The departing Massimo Luongo will go down as one of the best Ipswich Town free transfer signings ever. Ross Halls takes a look at other notable players who joined the club for nothing.
Bobby Petta celebrates during his spell at Ipswich Town.
Bobby Petta celebrates during his spell at Ipswich Town. (Image: Newsquest)
BOBBY PETTA
The flying Dutchman was one of the early Bosman transfers at Portman Road, joining from Feyenoord in the summer of 1996.
Petta was a skilful winger who produced some memorable moments for the Blues, including a brace in the 5-0 win over Norwich City in 1998.
He thrilled Town supporters with his swift runs and trickery down the flank. In total, he netted nine goals in 89 games, before leaving on a free to join Celtic in 1999.
Pablo Counago celebrates during his time at Ipswich Town.
Pablo Counago celebrates during his time at Ipswich Town.
(Image: Newsquest)
PABLO COUNAGO
The silky Spanish striker had two separate spells at Town, both being on a free transfer, first being signed by George Burley in July 2001 after he departed Celta Vigo.
Counago went on to become a big fans' favourite during his time in Suffolk, where he notched 54 goals in 214 games for Town during his two stints between 2001 and 2011.
He departed Town to join Málaga in the summer of 2005, but returned to the Blues two years later under Jim Magilton. A quality all-round forward, who got fans off their seats.
Kelvin Davis spent two seasons at Ipswich Town.
Kelvin Davis spent two seasons at Ipswich Town. (Image: Pagepix)
KELVIN DAVIS
The goalkeeper was a top purchase from manager Joe Royle, signing from AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2003.
Davis was a key player and made some cracking saves during his two seasons at Portman Road, where he helped the Blues reach the Championship play-offs twice.
Overall, he played 93 games for Town, before he was sold to Sunderland for £1.25 million in the summer of 2005.
Jason DeVos captained Ipswich Town.
Jason DeVos captained Ipswich Town. (Image: Newsquest)
JASON DE VOS
The Canadian defender was another great bit of business from Royle after signing the defender from Wigan Athletic on a free in 2004.
De Vos was a solid and dependable player, who went on to captain the club and was a key figure in the defence during his four seasons in Suffolk.
He made 179 appearances for Town, scoring 11 goals. In 2019, he was inducted into the Blues' Hall of Fame.
Daryl Murphy bagged over 50 goals for Ipswich Town.
Daryl Murphy bagged over 50 goals for Ipswich Town.
(Image: Pagepix)
DARYL MURPHY
The Irishman had three loan spells with the Blues before making a permanent move to Portman Road under Mick McCarthy on a free transfer from Celtic.
Over the course of six seasons, the powerful striker netted 67 goals in 221 games for Town which saw him break into the top-10 of the club’s leading all-time league scorers.
He would leave Town in the summer of 2016, moving to Newcastle United for £3 million.
There are many more names to mention, including Shefki Kuqi, Sylvain Legwinski, Luke Chambers, David McGoldrick, Christophe Berra, Cole Skuse and, more recently, Axel Tuanzebe.