Colchester captain Flanagan announces retirement

Flanagan made 115 appearances for Sunderland over a three-and-a-half year stint [Getty Images] Former Northern Ireland international and Colchester United captain Tom Flanagan has announced his retirement. The London-born defender was out of contract and had ruptured his Achilles at the end of last season, from which he is still recovering. Coming up through MK Dons' youth ranks, the 34-year-old played in all three levels of the English Football League and enjoyed spells at Kettering, Gillingham, Barnet, Stevenage, Plymouth, Burton Albion, Sunderland and Shrewsbury. He made his international debut against New Zealand in 2017 and went on to make a further 14 appearances for the Green and White Army. "After seventeen incredible years as a professional footballer, the time has come for me to retire from the game I have loved for as long as I can remember," Flanagan told Colchester's club website . "To have played across the Championship, League One, League Two and the National League, while also having the honour of representing my country on multiple occasions, is something that means more to me than I could ever put into words." All the latest Colchester United news