Recently retired Ipswich Town attacker Sone Aluko has taken on a first-team coaching role at the club, it has been announced.
The 35-year-old hung up his boots at the end of last season having scored four goals in 62 appearances for the Blues at the end of a playing career that included stints at the likes of Rangers, Hull, Fulham, and Reading.
He was one of 10 Town players to start a bespoke UEFA B coaching course provided by the PFA last year and spent a lot of last season helping the analysis team.
Speaking at the end-of-season awards which celebrated promotion to the Premier League, Blues boss Kieran McKenna said of Aluko: “He’s one of the best people I’ve met in football. His emotional intelligence, his empathy, and his selflessness as a fantastic football player are absolutely off the scale. The way that he’s helped me, the staff, Samy (Morsy), and the other leaders to manage the group, the way he’s supported his team-mates, the way he’s put the group before himself on so many occasions, has been massive for us.”
On the announcement, Aluko said: “It is a real privilege to start the next phase of my career by joining the first-team coaching staff here at the club.
“Learning from the manager and all the coaching staff here is a fantastic opportunity for me. It is a great time to be at Ipswich, and I’m looking forward to helping the squad continue to learn and take on the challenge of the Premier League.”
McKenna said: “We’re delighted to add Sone to our coaching team. His work ethic and values have been important for the club over the last few years, and we know he will continue to bring those qualities to his new role. Sone has strong relationships with players and staff at the club and he will be a big addition for us.”
Meanwhile, Town have announced that David Martin has joined the club as an assistant to goalkeeper coach Rene Gilmartin.