EXPERIENCED duo John Akinde and Tom Dallison are among those to be leaving Colchester United this summer after the club confirmed their retained/released list.

Sam Hornby and Marley Marshall Miranda have also been released by the U’s, as Danny Cowley shapes his squad for next season.

Striker Akinde spent two and a half years at Colchester, making 86 league and cup appearances and scoring 12 goals, while defender Dallison, 28, clocked up 65 games for the club in the same period after joining the club from Crawley Town in January, 2022.

Gazette:

Goalkeeper Hornby, 29, finished the season in the U's starting line-up and made 30 league and cup appearances during his time at the club, while Miranda, 21, played 29 times for the Colchester first team, having come through the club's academy.

Under-21 players Donell Thomas, Harry Beadle, Gene Kennedy, Ronnie Nelson, Ted Collins, Ryan Lowe, T’Aizo Marcel-Dilaver, Kaan Bennett, Jet Dyer, Kennedy Mupomba, Byan Aman and Matt Yates will also be departing the JobServe Community Stadium.

READ MORE: Harry Anderson linked with U's move after Stevenage exit

The U’s have made offers to Noah Chilvers, Cameron McGeehan, Chay Cooper and Al-Amin Kazeem, who are due to see their current contracts expire, this summer.

Colchester have also offered fresh terms to under-21 players Harrison Chamberlain, Frankie Edwards, Max Jolliffe and Milton Oni.

 

Colchester head coach Danny Cowley told the U’s website: "Can we take the opportunity to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment since Nicky and I came to the club.

“We have spent the last week meeting with the players, reflecting on the season and looking to the future.

Gazette:

“On behalf of the club, we have tried to make some difficult decisions on players that we think a lot of as people.

“I am sure you will join us in wishing them success in their careers moving forward.

"For all the players leaving us this summer, including the players that have been on loan with us, we thank them for their time with us and wish them well in their future football journeys."

Owen Goodman, Zach Mitchell, Harry Anderson, Riley Harbottle, Jayden Richardson and Alistair Smith have all returned to their respective parent clubs, following the completion of their loan deals.

READ MORE: U's under-21s beat Watford in penultimate game of season

Will Greenidge, Ellis Iandolo, Fiacre Kelleher, Connor Hall, Matt Jay, Conor Wilkinson, Samson Tovide, Owura Edwards, Tom Smith, Tom Hopper, Arthur Read, Mandela Egbo, Jay Mingi, Jayden Fevrier and Bradley Ihionvien remain under contract at the U’s, for next season.

The club have taken up an option on deals for under-21 duo Oscar Thorn and Frankie Terry, with fellow youngsters Oliver Godziemski, Kaleel Green, Archie Oliver and Hakeem Sandah also under contract.

Colchester sporting director Dmitri Halajko told the U’s website: “Of course the season didn't go the way we all wanted it to, but it was not down to lack of effort and will on any player’s part.

“For all the players leaving us this summer, including the players that have been on loan with us, we thank them for their time with us and wish them well in their future football journeys.”