Ipswich Town have reluctantly terminated the contract of Australian winger Tommy Oar at the player’s request.

The 24-year-old left-winger joined Blues on a two-year deal in August as a free agent. Landing him was seen as something of a coup considering several clubs across Europe – including Athletic Bilbao – had been vying for the former Utrecht player’s signature.

Moving to England was the realisation for a lifelong dream for a player who left Australia to further his career in Holland as a teenager.

International commitments disrupted his early weeks at Ipswich though, then he was knocked unconscious on his full debut. He departs having made just nine appearances for the club – four starts and five substitute appearances – his sole goal coming in the 2-2 FA Cup draw with Portsmouth.

“I’d like to thank Ipswich Town for their co-operation over ending my contract,” Oar told the club website.

“It’s a great club and the manager, staff and players made me feel very welcome but while I have enjoyed playing for Ipswich, I have found it difficult to settle into life in England.

“I have been away from home for five or six years now. My family came over at Christmas and maybe I’ve got to a point where I want to be closer to home again.

“It’s just one of those things where moving over here has not worked out as I had hoped but I’d like to wish the club, the manager, the staff and the players the best of luck over the rest of the season and I hope to be watching Ipswich in the Premier League next year.”

Town boss Mick McCarthy added: “Tommy came to see me and said that he hadn’t settled in England and asked if it was possible to end his contract.

“It’s disappointing obviously as we had high hopes for him. He had shown great quality in training but I don’t want to keep a player at the club who doesn’t want to be here. We wish him well.”