Good to play under him again : Ipswich Town Janoi Donacien Signs for Chesterfield
Janoi Donacien Joins Chesterfield on Short-Term Deal
Former Ipswich Town defender Janoi Donacien has signed with League Two club Chesterfield, where he will reunite with his former Ipswich boss Paul Cook. The 31-year-old was a free agent after being released by Ipswich at the end of last season but stayed in Suffolk to regain his fitness while searching for a new club.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna confirmed last Friday that Donacien had left the club and was set to sign for the Spireites, who are currently 10th in League Two. Donacien has signed a deal with Chesterfield until the end of the season.
At Chesterfield, Donacien will work alongside former Ipswich colleague Kieron Dyer, now a coach at the club, and play with ex-Blue Armando Dobra. Speaking after the move, Donacien said: “It feels good to have got it all done and I’m ready to go. I’ve been in contact with the gaffer and ‘KD’ for a while now and they’ve been keeping tabs on me. Paul Cook brought me back in and helped me a lot. It will be good to play under him again.”
Donacien’s time at Ipswich was marked by ups and downs, but his professionalism and one-on-one defensive skills made him a fan favourite. He joined the Blues in 2018 from Accrington Stanley, initially on loan, before making a permanent move. After a challenging period with two loan spells, he played a key role in the team’s promotion from League One, building a strong partnership with Wes Burns on the right side of the pitch.
McKenna praised Donacien’s resilience, saying: “He’s a brilliant story at the club, summarizing the highs and lows. He had a tough first season but kept coming back stronger. He played a significant role in the promotion, and his contributions last season, despite injuries, were invaluable.”
McKenna also highlighted Donacien’s positive presence in the dressing room and wished him well as he moves on: “He’ll be sorely missed around the building, but he leaves with great memories and fondness. He’ll always be welcome back at the club in the future.”
