GEORGE O'Callaghan has thanked Ipswich Town for releasing him in order to talk with clubs in Ireland.

Derek Davis

GEORGE O'Callaghan has thanked Ipswich Town for releasing him in order to talk with clubs in Ireland.

O'Callaghan has flown back to the Republic to hold talks with Bohemians, St Patrick's and his home-town club Cork City where their new manager has made him a number one priority signing.

The 28-year-old has personal reasons for wanting to return to Ireland and is also relishing the prospect of regular first team football and the chance to play in Europe.

O'Callaghan said: “I'm grateful to Jim Magilton and Ipswich Town for letting me go. I need to be playing and I will be speaking to a few clubs over the next couple of days.

“It is a shame I didn't not get to play more for Ipswich and show the fans what I can do but that's football. Ipswich is a terrific club with a fantastic set of lads, we had a real craic in the dressing room and the fans were brilliant.

“But I want to be playing all the time and it is best I move on.”

O'Callaghan made 12 appearances for Town scoring in the 5-1 win over Barnsley.

Blues boss Jim Magilton said: “George is a great lad but he is 28 now and needs to be playing regular first team football. We have not been able to give him that and we won't stand in his way.”