Former Coventry City goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has left Sheffield Wednesday.
Kirkland, who came through City's Academy before making it into the first team and being sold to Liverpool where he went on to play for England, has opted not to extend his contract at Hillsborough and told the Sheffield Wedn3day website:
“This has been a really tough decision and one that I have mulled over through the summer but I have decided to move on.
“I want a new challenge at this stage of my career. Everyone loves to play first team football and I am no different.
“I came back to the club this week to do things the right way, which is in person because I have a lot of friends at this football club who deserve full respect.
“I would like to thank all the staff who have been so supportive in my three years with Wednesday and wish the new head coach and the new chairman nothing but the very best.
“And, of course, I would like to thank the fans, who have been different class and I hope to see them at the other end of the field soon.”
“I want a new challenge at this stage of my career. Everyone loves to play first team football and I am no different.
“I came back to the club this week to do things the right way, which is in person because I have a lot of friends at this football club who deserve full respect.
“I would like to thank all the staff who have been so supportive in my three years with Wednesday and wish the new head coach and the new chairman nothing but the very best.
“And, of course, I would like to thank the fans, who have been different class and I hope to see them at the other end of the field soon.”
Meanwhile, former City loanee Chris Maguire is interesting Bolton Wanderers.