Jordan Spence has been released by West Ham United - nine years after first joining the club as a teenager.
Right-back Spence, now 23, has spent almost a decade at his boyhood club despite failing to break through into the first team. And now, having made just 10 appearances the full back has been released by West Ham.Taking to Twitter this afternoon to express his regret at the parting of the waves, Spence wrote: "No conceivable way to summarise what West Ham United FC has equipped me for, taught me and meant to me over the past nine years.
"It's an honour to have represented the club for this period and I'd like to thank all that have supported me throughout. I wish the club the very best and hope they give the fans what they deserve for the coming seasons.
"As an east London boy, playing for this club has been a privilege. I look forward to what opportunities and challenges await me in my future. Thank You! #whufc"
Spence, who has represented England at all youth levels from Under 16 to Under 21 made his debut for West Ham in the final game of the 2009/10 season as an 88th-minute substitute against Manchester City.
The following season he made two starts under Avram Grant - the first of which came in the 3-2 defeat at Wigan that condemned West Ham to the drop and the second a week later in the final home game of the season against Sunderland.
Spence enjoyed a run of seven games under Sam Allardyce last season, including four further starts. However his appearance at Old Trafford in the 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat in January 2013 was to prove to be his last for West Ham.
Everyone at Knees up Mother Brown would like to wish Jordan the very best of luck for the future.
* Meanwhile another long-term Hammer who left the Club at the end of last season, Joe Cole, is said to be interesting Thai club BEC Tero Sasana.
The Fire Dragons, who are based in Bangkok are hoping to tie up a deal for the 32-year-old despite General Manager Robert Procureur admitting this week that "we're well aware Joe Cole will be incredibly expensive."
Cole has also been interesting a number of Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs too since announcing his departure from West Ham following the completion of the 18-month contract he signed in January 2013.
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