Ipswich Town pulled a transfer blinder with Celtic transfer | OneFootball

Daryl Murphy was a class act for Ipswich Town after joining the Tractor Boys from Celtic back in 2011.

Ipswich Town have completed some fantastic transfer business over the years, and boast an illustrious history which includes winning the UEFA Cup back in 1981.

Some of the Tractor Boys' most memorable triumphs have come in modern times, too, as Kieran McKenna led the Portman Road club to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

Ipswich enjoyed their finest hour back in 1962, when they won the top-flight title, while other notable achievements include their FA Cup triumph in 1978.

The Tractor Boys faithful have enjoyed the services of several talented players throughout their history, ranging from old-school legends such as Mick Mills to modern-day cult heroes like former Southampton forward David McGoldrick.

Daryl Murphy became an Ipswich Town hero after joining from Celtic

Daryl Murphy handed Ipswich fans several happy memories, enjoying three separate spells with the Suffolk outfit.

The former striker initially joined the Portman Road outfit on loan from Sunderland midway through the 2009/10 Championship season, linking up with his ex-Black Cats boss Roy Keane.

In this particular spell with the Tractor Boys, the Ireland international notched six goals and one assist in 18 league appearances, helping his side finish 15th in the second tier.

Murphy enjoyed further loan spells with Ipswich throughout both the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, before finally joining them on a permanent transfer in the summer of 2013.

When the former Sunderland man joined the Tractor Boys permanently, after being released by Celtic, he expressed his delight at the move, as reported by BBC Sport: "I had a chat with the manager (Mick McCarthy) at the end of the season, and I'm pleased to get the deal done and finally be an Ipswich player on a permanent basis.

"It's well documented that I love being at Ipswich and I made no secret that I wanted to return."

The striker showed his class in the 2013/14 Championship season, scoring 13 goals in 45 league appearances, while his career-best return arrived in Tractor Boys colours the following campaign, as he notched 27 goals and six assists as an ever-present member of McCarthy's side.

Murphy's prolific exploits in the 2014/15 term helped Ipswich land a second-tier play-off spot, a feat they would never achieve again before eventually suffering relegation to League One in 2019.

Town supporters may never forget the impressive goal the Ireland international scored in a 2-0 win over Brighton in September 2014, as he latched onto Tyrone Mings's long ball to fire home a first-time shot from 18 yards out.

He went on to be named as December's Championship player of the month that year by scoring six goals, including braces against both Leeds United and Brentford.

Following his impressive 2014/15 campaign, Murphy notched 10 goals and four assists in the 2015/16 season, before joining Newcastle United the following summer.

His time with the Magpies proved less fruitful, as he made just 15 league appearances for the North East outfit ahead of a permanent move to Nottingham Forest.

The forward later represented Bolton Wanderers in League One, and Waterford in Ireland before retiring, but he was never able to hit the same heights he had managed for Ipswich.

Ipswich Town supporters may always find it difficult to believe Darly Murphy was signed on a free transfer

Murphy notched an impressive total of 99 goal contributions throughout his three different stints at Ipswich, including the 50 goals he scored as a permanent Tractor Boys player.

Because the Ireland international enjoyed such a successful career at Portman Road, supporters may always find it difficult to believe that he joined their club on a free transfer in 2013.

Remarkably, Murphy made just 10 starts for Celtic in three years with the Bhoys, whereas Ipswich struck gold by acquiring his signature during McCarthy's time at the club.