Five top Shefki Kuqi moments

SHEFKI Kuqi is one of those players who was adored by the majority of Ipswich Town fans and will be warmly welcomed back into the fold.

The bustling striker arrived at Portman Road in September 2003, initially on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, with Ipswich at a low ebb.

Ipswich had slumped to the foot of Division One after their opening six games, although they had climbed to 19th by the time Kuqi made his debut at Watford.

He immediately made an impact, scoring the equaliser before current manager Jim Magilton notched the winner in a 2-1 victory.

Kuqi became a cult hero among the fans, who warmed to his robust style and willingness to chase lost causes, although you could never be sure when he was about to shoot whether the ball would end up in the back of the net or Row Z of the stand.

He helped Ipswich to reach the end-of-season play-offs two seasons running, although both ended in tears as West Ham won their way through to the final on each occasion.

Kuqi he left at the end of the 2004/05 season, when he was out of contract and exercised his right to a free transfer move to Premiership club Blackburn Rovers.

But in his time with the club he provided many memorable - and some not so memorable - moments.

Here the Evening Star picks out five memorable moments from Shefki's first stint with Town.

1 - Shefki scores the 52nd minute equaliser in a 2-1 win at Watford on his debut in September 2003

2 - Shefki acknowledges the Town supporters after scoring an 88th winner in Town's titanic 4-3 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in October 2003

3 - The swallow dive celebration that became synonymous with Shefki's goals

4 - Shefki's low strike finds the bottom far corner of the Cardiff net in May 2004 to secure a point in a 1-1 draw and with it a place in the 2003/04 play-offs

5 - Shefki turns to celebrate scoring the 74th minute equaliser against West Ham in Town's 2-2 play-off semi-final, first leg draw at Upton Park in May 2005