Former Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Brentford man free agent at 34

Former Bristol City and Bristol Rovers striker John Akinde is on the search for a new club after he was told his contract wouldn't be getting renewed.

League Two outfit Colchester United have told Akinde along with three other players that their deals at the JobServe Community Stadium wouldn't be extended. Akinde played 30 times in all competitions this season and recorded three goals and three assists. He spent two months on the sidelines with a partial tear of the plantar fascia, but recovered and helped Colchester survive the drop to the National League.

In a message to the four departing players, manager Danny Cowley said: "Can we take the opportunity to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment since Nicky and I came to the club. We have spent the last week meeting with the players, reflecting on the season and looking to the future.

"On behalf of the club, we have tried to make some difficult decisions on players that we think a lot of as people. I am sure you will join us in wishing them success in their careers moving forward."

Akinde was given a break in professional football by Bristol City, who signed him for a reported £140,000 following a poll by the club's owners MyFootball Club, the first of its kind. He made 21 appearances for the Robins over the course of three years but scored just one goal, and had loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Brentford, inter-city rivals Bristol Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge.

The well-travelled forward played 18 times for the Gas in all competitions but failed to score a goal, and in the same season after he departed they were relegated from League One. He went on to play for Crawley Town and Portsmouth, before spells with Barnet, Lincoln City and Gillingham.