FABIAN Wilnis today revealed that his Ipswich Town career is over.

Elvin King

FABIAN Wilnis today revealed that his Ipswich Town career is over.

The 37-year-old Dutch defender, who joined the Portman Road staff in 1999, was told that he would not be offered a new playing contract for the one that runs out next Monday.

But he was looking at the possibility of joining the Blues coaching staff after passing his UEFA B coaching course last month.

However, this is not to be the case with Wilnis now weighing up his options with a move to Colchester United on a one-year playing deal on his agenda.

He said: “I have some offers to consider and a couple of meetings planned with other clubs this week. Colchester would be ideal, but we must wait and see on that one.

“It is a big decision for me to make. Do I opt for a one-year playing deal or for a deal where I can combine playing with coaching for a season?

“My aim is to become a coach and I have to consider this and what will be best for me.”

Although he has had a unique style house purpose-built in Holland, Wilnis confirmed that he plans to stay based in Ipswich. Even though he has had offers from a number of English clubs and one Scottish club.

Wilnis has been granted a testimonial by Ipswich to be staged at Portman Road at some stage next season, and he says that this will come into his thoughts when he decides his next move.

“But I won't be staying with Ipswich,” he said.

“I have had a chat with Jim Magilton and he knows how I feel and that I would love to stay at Portman Road.

“But there is no vacancy on the coaching staff and I would not like to have it on my conscience that I may have done someone else out of a job.

“But whatever I do I will continue to be an ambassador for Ipswich Town. I expect to make my decision by the end of this month.”

Ipswich Town's players report back for training on Wednesday although a few have already been at the club putting in some extra preparatory work.

Manager Magilton is moving closer to recruiting a goalkeeping coach to replace Andy Rhodes although there is no immediate rush as the first days of training will mainly concentrate on basic fitness work with plenty of running.