Jabo Ibehre insists he had a “fantastic time” at Colchester United - and says he does not regret anything about his spell there.

The experienced striker has played his last game for the U’s and will be a free agent when his current deal there expires, later this summer.

Ibehre was snapped up from MK Dons by Joe Dunne in September 2012, initially on loan.

He was a regular starter under Dunne, scoring 17 goals in 76 appearances for the club and helping them twice stave off relegation.

But after starting Colchester’s opening six games of the campaign, Ibehre did not play again for the U’s.

His time at the Weston Homes Community Stadium has ended on something of a sour note, following loan moves to Oldham Athletic and Barnsley.

But speaking exclusively to the Daily Gazette, Ibehre says he enjoyed his two-and-a-half years with the U’s and has no regrets about his time there.

He said: “I had a fantastic time at Colchester and I really enjoyed my time there.

“I’m very grateful to everyone down there for giving me the opportunity to play football in a great environment.

“I learnt so much, technically, mentally and physically.

“When we were fighting to stay up, it made me stronger as an individual and I learnt a lot from my experiences there.

“I’m made some great friends while I was there and I’ll keep in contact with them.

“The fans are fantastic and they stuck by us through thick and thin.

“It’s a shame that it’s ended the way it has but these things happen in football.

“It would have been nice to have stayed there and I helped the young players come through but things don’t always go according to plan.

“I’ve made some really good friends there in the time I’ve been at Colchester and I was really glad to see them stay up.

“They’re a great club who are aspiring to do big things.

“They remind me a lot of MK Dons, in that they are trying to build something good there.

“I don’t want things to end on a bad note, it’s just a shame that things came out the way they did but I know the truth.

“It’s a side of football you don’t get to see that much but I’m happy that it’s turned out well for everybody.

“I never look back on anything with too much regret in life and I’m grateful for the chance to have played for Colchester.”

Ibehre says he will not rush into finding a new club, with his contract about to expire at Colchester.

But he confirmed that his spell at the U’s is almost over.

“My contract at Colchester ends in the summer and won’t be renewing,” said the former MK Dons and Leyton Orient striker.

“I’ve not spoken to anyone at the club but I want to move on.

“I like challenging myself and that’s one of the things I like about football.

“It’s great going to different places and different dressing rooms and that’s a challenge in itself.

“It’s very early days and I just want a break for now.

“As long as everything is right for me and the ambitions are correct, then I’ll consider it.”