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Leadbitter rejects Town offer

Image: Grant Leadbitter: Has snubbed Ipswich's offer of a new deal

Ipswich's Grant Leadbitter has told Sky Sports he has rejected the offer of a new deal at Portman Road and will leave in the summer.

Midfielder wants new challenge next season

Ipswich midfielder Grant Leadbitter has told Sky Sports he has rejected the offer of a new deal at Portman Road and will leave at the end of the season. Leadbitter is out of contract with the Tractor Boys in the summer and has been linked with a host of clubs including Middlesbrough and Brighton. The 26-year-old, who joined Ipswich from boyhood club Sunderland in 2009, says he has turned down staying at Paul Jewell's side because he wants a new challenge. "I have turned down the offer of a new deal at Ipswich and I will be leaving at the end of the season," Leadbitter told Sky Sports. "It was a really tough decision, but I feel I am ready for a new challenge at this stage of my career.

New challenge

"I never spoke to Ipswich about finances; I just feel the time is right for a new challenge and a new experience. "I would like to thank the club for bringing me here in the first place and I have had a great three years here. "The fans have been brilliant and I have a lot of time for Paul Jewell and always got on very well with him and you see how hard he works for the club." Middlesbrough are thought to be front-runners for Leadbitter's signature but the midfielder insists he is yet to make a decision over where he will ply his trade next season. He added: "I have not thought about my future yet I will be going on holidays soon and I will be keeping my options open before I decide where I want to go."

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