Leeds United have today announced that they have terminated the contract of Irish forward Noel Hunt by mutual consent. The Waterford man joined the Elland Road on a two year contract in the summer of 2013, however, the decision has been taken for Hunt to leave the club after a less than stellar spell which saw him fail to score a league goal in his one and a half year spell.
That record saw him move on loan to Championship high fliers Ipswich in late November. Hunt, teaming up with the significant Irish contingent at Portman Road, including his brother Stephen, has recovered some of the form from his Reading days with a late winner against Charlton on his debut being the high point of a stop-start couple of years.
Speaking to Leeds' official website Hunt conceded that his time in Yorkshire wasn't as productive as he would have liked.
It didn’t quite happen for me here for whatever reason. But I appreciate the support I have received, whether that be on or off the field. I love the club and I’ll be taking the positives from my time at Leeds United.
I wish all the boys, Neil Redfearn and the supporters well for the rest of the season and the future.
It's now looking likely that Hunt could move to Ipswich on a permanent deal, at least until the end of the season, where he would more than likely act as back-up to Irish internationals David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy. And while Hunt has wished Leeds all the best in their fight against the drop this season, quite a few fans haven't been quite as courteous towards their former no. 10.
@LUFC thank god for that????????
— laur (@__LaurenMalone) January 7, 2015
@LUFC Worth it just to free up the number 10 shirt.
— Eamo (@EamoV1) January 7, 2015
@LUFC tank god he wudnt get a game in @AirtricityLeagu #shockinsigningin1stplace
— Stephen o flynn (@flynndog18) January 7, 2015
NOEL HUNT IS GONE! I REPEAT, NOEL HUNT IS GONE. #LUFC #LivingTheDream
— LUFC Blake (@BlakeZimbabwe14) January 7, 2015
Noel Hunt's highlights for Leeds United #lufc https://t.co/hUMw0Jzw5Y
— We Are Leeds (@weareleeds_) January 7, 2015
Noel Hunt, thank you for absolutely nothing
— TC ? (@TomC_22) January 7, 2015
It's a shame that Noel Hunt was shit because he seems like a really nice guy
— Jake Foggitt (@Jakefoggitt) January 7, 2015
So Noel Hunt is a nice guy,who cares,I must be old fashioned but I prefer strikers that score goals.
— PAUL DUNHAM (@PAD1964) January 7, 2015