Colchester United legend Karl Duguid has called time on his successful playing career.

The U’s player-coach, who celebrates his 36th birthday today, says he will hang up his boots for good at the end of this season.

Duguid, who has made nearly 600 league and cup appearances during a career that has spanned two decades, has not played a competitive match for nearly 18 months.

He last pulled on a U’s shirt in their 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town in October, 2012.

Duguid said: “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that I’ll not be playing next year.

“It’s probably the right time for me to say that I’ve done my bit and this will be my last season as a player."

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including a three-page preview of the U's game against Bristol City, see Friday's Daily Gazette.