Colchester United have announced that midfielder Owen Garvan has left the club due to "personal reasons".

The club confirmed this morning that they had agreed to cancel the former Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace midfielder's contracts.

The 29-year-old played 53 times for Colchester after his arrival in 2015, but will now depart the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester said that the departure came about after the player approached the club's management.

Director of Football Tony Humes said: "Owen came to us and requested the opportunity to leave the club for personal reasons.

"We have been working with him over the past few weeks to resolve the situation in the best way possible.

"We have now managed to reach a conclusion on our conversations with him and we have come to a mutual agreement to allow Owen to depart.

"We wish him all of the best for the future and thank him for his time and efforts whilst at the club."

Garvan had made 18 appearances for the U's this season and scored his only goal in the 4-0 win against Crewe in November, but struggled with injury during the campaign after picking up a knock to his leg in a pre-season fixture.