FORMER Colchester United midfielder Emyr Huws has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 30-year-old, whose last club was the U's whom he left at the end of last season, has decided to bring the curtain down on his playing career.

Huws made 19 league and cup appearances during his spell with Colchester between January 2022 and May 2023.

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The former Ipswich Town and Cardiff City player scored once during his time with the U's, their dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Swindon Town when they only had nine men on the pitch following red cards shown to Shamal George and Luke Chambers.

Writing on social media, he said: "Whilst writing this message, I never thought I'd be writing this shortly after my 30th birthday.

"To those of you that know me, will know that this journey within football has been my life since I was six years old.

"The time has now come to enter a new stage in my life, this journey has taught me many extraordinary things.

Gazette:

"I remember when I was young, the certainty I had that I was going to be a footballer was powerful and with all the obstacles thrown at me, I achieved that dream.

"God only knows how much support I've needed through this journey, and I'm blessed to have had immense support with me all of the way.

"Even in the bleakest of times with their help and my determination I always found a way and thank all of you.

"I've come to the realisation through many tough lessons that this path is no longer meant for me, and I am meant for something else.

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"My deepest gratitude to everyone involved in my journey and I thank you all for helping me become the man I am today.

"My time playing the game is at an end but I am not done yet, my mission is to use all of my experience and wisdom to help inspire and empower as many people as possible.

"Thank you everyone and I hope you all chase your dreams in this short life."

Huws, who won 11 caps for Wales between 2014 and 2017, also played for Manchester City as an academy player and went on to play for the likes of Wigan Athletic and Huddersfield Town.