Town chief executive Simon Clegg has confirmed that the club have settled defender Ben Thatcher’s contract. The former Wales international’s deal was due to end in the summer.

Clegg says the says the details of the settlement were completed earlier today and that Thatcher is no longer a Town player: “We’d liked to recognise the contribution that Ben has made to the club, thank him for his time here and wish him well for his future.”

Thatcher added: "I want to wish the club the very best for the future.

"They are a great set of lads in the dressing room and I want to see them climb the table over the rest of the season.

"I want to carry on playing and definitely feel I can do a job on the pitch for another year or two and then I might look at coaching."

Thatcher, who never made a senior appearance under Roy Keane’s management, joined the Blues on a free transfer from Charlton in the summer of 2008.

The former Manchester City man annoyed the current Blues manager with his refusal to move home from London, Keane revealing that an announcement on Thatcher’s future was close a week ago.

The 34-year-old will be unable to join another club until next season.

Photo: Action Images

h32 added 01:31 - Feb 28 Good Luck Ben Thatcher - just because you didn't get on with a certain person doesn't make you any less of a competitive, capable player, who has the b......s to mix it when neccessary at this level. Maybe a few more like you wouldn't have been a bad idea this season!
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