“Celtic Had No Idea What They Were Letting Go – Ipswich Now Boast One of the EFL’s Deadliest Stars!”

How a Free Transfer Turned Daryl Murphy into an Ipswich Town Legend

When Ipswich Town brought in Daryl Murphy on loan during the summer of 2011, few could have predicted just how vital he would become. The Irish striker, relatively under the radar at the time, went on to cement his place as one of the most prolific and respected forwards in EFL history.

Early Career: A Slow Burn

Born in Waterford, Ireland, Murphy began his professional journey at Luton Town, although he never made a first-team appearance. A loan spell at non-league Harrow Borough followed before he returned home to kickstart his senior career with Waterford United.

His performances back in Ireland earned him a move to Sunderland in 2005. Despite clocking over 100 appearances for the Black Cats, Murphy struggled to make a lasting impact. Loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich offered him the chance to impress again, and he eventually joined Celtic in 2010 for a reported £800,000 fee. But once more, regular form eluded him, and it wasn’t long before he was back at Portman Road.

The Ipswich Revival

Murphy initially joined Ipswich in January 2010, scoring six times in 18 games during his first loan stint. After an underwhelming year in Scotland, he returned to Suffolk on loan for the 2011/12 campaign, though goals were scarce.

Despite this, the club kept faith, bringing him back again for the 2012/13 season. This time, his game improved—his all-round play becoming more polished, and the goals started to follow. That earned him a permanent move in 2013 on a free transfer, and what followed was nothing short of a revival.

Murphy scored 13 goals in 45 appearances during the 2013/14 season. But it was the 2014/15 campaign where he truly came alive—netting a stunning 27 goals in 44 Championship games. His efforts powered Ipswich to a sixth-place finish and a long-awaited return to the play-offs, providing a rare highlight in what had been a decade of mid-table mediocrity.

Under Mick McCarthy’s management, and with Murphy leading the line, Ipswich briefly transformed into a side with genuine promotion ambitions.

A Striker of All Talents

Murphy’s technical skill had always been evident, even during his earlier years—capable of the occasional spectacular strike, as seen at Sunderland and Celtic. But at Ipswich, he paired those flashes of brilliance with consistency and clinical finishing.

One of his most memorable moments came against Brighton in 2015, when he struck a thunderous volley from outside the box—typifying his blend of power and finesse.

The Post-Ipswich Years

In 2016, after scoring 67 goals in 225 appearances across multiple spells, Murphy left Ipswich to join Newcastle United for £3 million. Though primarily used as a squad player by Rafa Benitez, he still managed five goals in 15 appearances during the Magpies’ title-winning Championship season.

Murphy later moved to Nottingham Forest, again playing more of a supporting role but still managing to reach double figures. His final stop in English football came at Bolton Wanderers in 2019. Despite joining a club in crisis—beginning the season on -12 points and plagued by off-field issues—Murphy led by example, scoring eight times in 24 games for a side made up largely of youth players.

He eventually returned to his hometown club Waterford in 2020, retiring a year later.

Republic of Ireland Recognition

Internationally, Murphy earned 32 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring three goals. After a handful of appearances in 2007 and 2008, his resurgence at Ipswich earned him a recall in 2014. He would go on to feature in Euro 2016 and become a reliable option for Martin O’Neill’s squad during the later stages of his career.


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Murphy’s Ipswich Town Stats by Season

Season Games Goals

2009/10 18 6
2011/12 34 4
2012/13 40 7
2013/14 46 13
2014/15 48 27
2015/16 35 10
2016/17 4 0
Source: FotMob



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A Cult Hero at Portman Road

Daryl Murphy’s story is one of persistence, growth, and ultimate redemption. From early struggles to becoming a feared EFL striker, his time at Ipswich proved transformative—for both him and the club. He turned a modest free transfer into a golden chapter in his career and helped elevate Ipswich from mid-table obscurity to genuine contenders.

He may not have stayed long in the Premier League, but in the Championship, few were more lethal. Murphy didn’t just play for Ipswich—he helped define an era