Magnus Okuonghae says he has no “hard feelings” over his Colchester United exit.

And the former club captain acknowledges it was probably the right time for both parties to go their separate ways.

Okuonghae will be looking for a new club this summer, after the U’s opted not to offer the defender a new contract.

The 29-year-old defender had been the longest-serving player in the current Colchester squad, having clocked up more than 200 appearances for them since arriving from Dagenham and Redbridge in 2009.

But Okuonghae, who missed much of the current season because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, says the time is right to move on.

Okuonghae told the Daily Gazette: “I think it was probably time for a change, from both points of view.

“The last three years have been difficult, in terms of the club fighting to stay up.

“But they’re definitely going in the right direction and credit to the chairman, because the infrastructure he’s put in is unbelievable.

“There are no hard feelings.

“There’s been a lot of change over the last few months which is fine – that’s how it goes.

“I was delighted that the club stayed up and the only disappointment was that I wasn’t able to play a bigger part in it.”

For three pages of U's coverage, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.