FORMER Colchester United defender Luke Chambers has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 37-year-old has decided to hang up his boots, bringing the curtain down on a magnificent career that has spanned more than two decades and 871 appearances.
Chambers' final-ever game in professional football proved to be Colchester's match against Mansfield Town, on the final day of last season.
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The defender made an incredible 791 league appearances during his long and impressive career for the U's, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and hometown club Northampton Town.
That has lifted the defender to seventh spot currently in the list of all-time top-ten league appearance makers.
Writing on social media, Chambers said: 'Twenty-one years of professional football has reached its end for me.
'It's been an unbelievable ride. 871 appearances for four fantastic clubs.
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'To finish my career in the Top Ten record EFL appearance makers of all time is something I could never have dreamt of.
'I have approached every single day of my working life with the upmost professionalism and dedication.
'Lived it day in, day out and always tried to give my teammates as much support as I possibly could.
'I have worn my heart on my sleeve from day one and I could not have given the game we all love any more than I have.
'I'd like to thank my family for your unwavering support. Without your sacrifice I couldn't have achieved all I have.'
Chambers, who spent two years at the JobServe Community Stadium after joining Colchester from neighbours Ipswich Town in the summer of 2021, was the U's highest appearance maker in the 2022-23 season.
He started 43 of the club’s 46 league games under three different permanent head coaches - Ben Garner, Matt Bloomfield and Wayne Brown.
He skippered the U's for much of the season, in the absence of Tommy Smith.
He played his part in an effective three-man central defence, alongside Fiacre Kelleher and Connor Hall, helping the club stay in League Two.
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