Sito, Pablo Counago and Ivan Campo are the three Spanish players to play for Ipswich Town.
Sito, Pablo Counago and Ivan Campo are the three Spanish players to play for Ipswich Town.
New Ipswich Town signing Ivan Azon becomes the latest player from Spain to play for the club. Ross Halls takes a look at the others through the years….
Pablo Counago was a big fans favourite during his spells at Ipswich Town.
Pablo Counago was a big fans favourite during his spells at Ipswich Town.
The popular frontman had two separate spells at Portman Road, becoming a big fans’ favourite during his time in Suffolk.
Counago first joined the club on a free transfer from Celta Vigo in the summer of 2001, playing under George Burley and then Joe Royle.
He formed a great partnership with Shefki Kuqi, Darren Bent and Tommy Miller as the Blues scored for fun under Royle, who helped the club reach two play-off semi-finals.
He departed Town to join Malaga in the summer of 2005, but returned to the Blues two years later under Jim Magilton. In total, Counago bagged 61 goals in 243 games.
Ivan Campo in action during his spell at Ipswich Town.
Ivan Campo in action during his spell at Ipswich Town.
The defender already had a illustrious career prior to his spell in Suffolk, having played for Spanish giants Real Madrid, helping them win two Champions League titles.
Campo made his name in England during his six-year spell at Bolton Wanderers under Sam Allardyce, who made some high profile signings in the 2000s.
After leaving the Reebok in 2008, Campo signed for the Blues under Magilton, but his prime years were behind him.
In total, he made 17 appearances for Town, scoring one goal during his spell at Portman Road, before finishing his career in Cyprus.
Ivan Campo in action during his spell at Ipswich Town.
Sito in action during his spell at Ipswich Town.
The defender was an unknown entity when he was brought to to Portman Road by Royle, who signed him on a free transfer from Racing Club de Ferrol in 2005 after a trial.
Sito had only played in his native country, but was a hard working full-back, who became a firm favourite during his three season at Town.
He made 63 appearances for Town, scoring one goal, but also received three red cards during his time at the club.
Surprisingly, he is still playing at the age of 45, having returned to CD Berceo from fellow Spanish fifth tier side Arnedo this summer.
Jeremy Sarmiento and Gassan Ahadme, pictured during their spells at Ipswich Town.
Jeremy Sarmiento and Gassan Ahadme, pictured during their spells at Ipswich Town.
Technically two other players who were born in Spain have played for Ipswich in the form of Jeremey Sarmiento and Gassan Ahadme.
Sarmiento was born in Madrid to Ecuadorian parents, before moving to England with his family at the age of seven. He represented England at youth level, before going on to play for Ecuador at senior level.
Ahadme was born in Vic, a province in Barcelona, playing his youth football in Spain, before moving to England to join Norwich City’s youth set-up in 2019. He has gone on to represent Morocco at U23 level through his parents.
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