A number of young Colchester United players have left the club by mutual consent.
Seven of the U's youngsters have left, signing contract cancellation forms before the transfer window closed on Monday night.
Ollie Kensdale, Miquel Scarlett, Sammie McLeod, Michael Fernandes, Ollie Sims, Danny Collinge and Matt Weaire will now be seeking pastures new after varying lengths of time with the club.
The U's Director of Football Tony Humes spoke to the official website about the decision to cancel the contracts, saying: "It's never an easy decision nor an easy conversation with the relevent players."
"It was in their best interests to get this done at this stage, because making them free agents before the window shuts gives them the opportunity to sign and play for other clubs in the coming weeks.
"They have been with us for a while now and are all around their early twenties, and it's unfortunate for them that we have some younger players that have leapfrogged over them for first team consideration.
"The likes of Noah Chilvers, Junior Tchamadeu, Samson Tovide, Marley Marshall Miranda and Harvey Sayer are all still in their teens and their progress has meant these others have been knocked down the pecking order.
"I'd like to thank all seven of them for their effort and hard work in their time at the club, and wish them all the best for the future."