George Elokobi WILL NOT be at Colchester United next season.

The experienced defender has failed to agree terms over a new deal, and his current contract expired on Friday, so he is now a free agent.

Elokobi revealed today: “I have not been able to agree the terms that the club have offered.

“I don’t want to get into the nitty gritty of this. It would not be fair and correct, but I really appreciate the love and support I have received from the fans, and wish everyone the best.

“I wish everyone all the best for the season ahead, and thereafter.

“It’s with a heavy heart, and as things stand, I am a free agent,” added Elokobi.

Cameroon-born Elokobi began his professional career at Colchester, after being recruited from non-league Dulwich Hamlet in 2004.

He went on to make 39 league appearances for the U’s, as a no-nonsense left-back during Phil Parkinson’s successful era, before moving on to play at a higher level for Wolves, Nottingham Forest (on loan) and Bristol City (on loan), and then at League One Oldham.

He returned to the U’s, on a two-year deal from Oldham in the summer of 2015, and went on to make a further 46 league appearances for the Essex club.

After an initial spell on loan at Braintree in the National League last autumn, Elokobi established himself in the U’s first-team from late November, 2016, his return coinciding with a season-changing 3-0 win at Cheltenham Town which ended a winless run stretching to 13 matches in all competitions.

The 31-year-old is now on the search for a new club, and is available on a free transfer.