Needham Market manager Mark Morsley has swooped to sign former Leiston striker Emmanuel Osei, while transfer-listing veteran midfielder Kem Izzet and releasing Jordan Patrick, Ollie Brown and Ollie Mann.

Osei worked under Morsley at Victory Road and has also played for East Thurrock, Brentwood Town, Harlow Town, Waltham Abbey, Met Police and Lowestoft Town.

As for Izzet, 35, the ex-Colchester midfielder joined the Marketmen in September 2013 and played an integral part as Needham reached the FA Cup fourth qualifying round later that season, Morsley’s side eventually losing 1-0 at home to Cambridge United.

Morsley said: “Kem has been put on the transfer list, although he has another year on his contract, and there is no animosity between us.

“Because of the way we want to play football next season, Kem might not figure in that, but he is still a player for us and if an offer comes in that isn’t right for him or the club, then he will stay at Bloomfields and fight for his place.”

Morsley added: Jordan (Patrick) was released as I did not take up his option, Manny (Ollie Mann) didn’t accept my first offer and I did not increase it, while with Ollie, I felt I was happy with my defence, so didn’t offer him a deal.”

On Osei, Morsley said: “He has been in South Africa for six months because of a job opportunity there, but he is coming back in July to do a masters degree.

“He played for me at Leiston and I was keen to get him involved at Needham.”

Meanwhile, Morsley is looking for a replacement for assistant manager Kevin Horlock after the former Ipswich Town midfielder joined the Colchester United under-21s set-up – a role that also includes the Maldon & Tiptree manager’s job.

“We have one or two irons in the fire,” admitted Morsley.

“Tom Rothery joined us from Brightlingsea and will be first-team coach and I am speaking to someone later this week (about the assistant manager’s role)..

“I am not going to advertise for potential candidates.

“It’s a two-man job as I don’t do any of the coaching and my main job is to be the manager.”

n At the club’s end-of-season awards, striker Michael Brothers picked up the Players’ Player honour, goalkeeper Danny Gay won the Supporters’ Player of the Year award and defender Joe Whight was the Manager’s Player of the Year.