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Scott Sinclair was among eight players released by Bristol Rovers following their relegation to League Two.
The former Chelsea and Manchester City winger returned to the Pirates in 2022, where he started his career, and was made club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.
GettyScott Sinclair has been released from the 16th club of his career[/caption]But after a disastrous season saw Rovers finish 22nd in League One, meaning they will play in the fourth tier next term, Sinclair was one of a number of their first team squad to be let go by the club.
A statement from the West Country confirmed he would be joined by seven of his teammates in becoming free agents.
Among those also failing to earn a new contract was another ex-Premier League ace in former West Brom midfielder Romaine Sawyers, who had joined on a short-term deal in January.
Other players shown the exit door were Grant Ward, Luke McCormick, Jerry Lawrence, Jack Hunt, Jevani Brown and Matt Hall
Rovers also revealed ex-Scotland striker Chris Martin would remain at the club to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury sustained in March, despite his current contract expiring at the end of the season.
The mass exodus comes after Inigo Calderon was sacked as head coach on Sunday, less than 24 hours after his side were thrashed 4-1 by Blackpool on the final day.
Two days later, the club confirmed former boss Darrell Clarke would be returning to take the reigns at the Memorial Stadium.
As for Sinclair, his release marks the end of a disappointing campaign on a personal level, having struggled for a starting place despite his role as club captain, and scoring just once all season.
The Englishman took to social media to pen an emotional farewell message to supporters.
He wrote on Instagram: “Thanks to all the fans that welcomed me back to this amazing club.
Sinclair has made 113 appearances in his second spell at Bristol RoversGetty The English winger joins former head coach Inigo Calderon in departing the Memorial StadiumGetty“It’s been a deeply disappointing season, despite the ending, I’ll always carry this club in my heart.”
It remains to be seen what will come next for the 36-year-old, who has played over 600 professional games in his career.
Sinclair came through the ranks at Bristol Rovers to make his first-team debut aged just 15, before being snapped up by Chelsea in 2005.
Despite spending five years with the Blues, he featured just 14 times during that period, as he was loaned out to six different clubs.
The forward then joined Swansea in 2010, helping them to win promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the Liberty Stadium by scoring 19 Championship goals.
His exploits for the Swans also saw him called up to represent team GB at the London 2012 Olympics
GettySinclair’s only goal for Chelsea came in a League Cup tie against Hull in September 2007[/caption] His exploits at Celtic saw him win the PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year award in 2017A move to Manchester City came that same summer, where he failed to nail down a starting place, spending time on loan at West Brom and Aston Villa, who he later joined permanently.
Sinclair later made a name for himself in Scotland after signing for Celtic in 2016.
In four years at Celtic Park, he featured 167 times, scoring 62 goals as the Hoops won three Scottish Premiership titles in four years.
After spending two years at Championship side Preston, Sinclair returned to first club Rovers in October 2022, where he was a regular starter in his first two seasons back in Bristol.
But after starting 21 of his 41 league appearances this term, the well-travelled star is now on the hunt for the 17th club of his career.
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