Former Birmingham City, Wrexham and Nottingham Forest star made free agent

Former Birmingham City striker Matt Derbyshire will have to think his next steps after he was told that his contract with his club would not be renewed.

Derbyshire was told by Bradford City that he would not be receiving a new contract and that he would be free to depart Valley Parade this summer. The 38-year-old is departing the Bantams after a year-and-a-half after joining from Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United.

He was limited to 10 appearances in all competitions for Bradford this year in a campaign that he failed to score in. His last appearance for the club was as a substitute back in January. Darbyshire's last match day involvement with Bradford City was an unused substitute against Wycombe Wanderers back in mid-February.

In a message issued to Derbyshire and the 10 other players departing, Bradford City said: "The club would like to take this opportunity to thank all departing players for their efforts while at Bradford City AFC - and wish them the very best for the future."

Derbyshire has had a playing career that has spenned 22-years. He began with his hometown club Great Harwood Town before being signed by Blackburn Rovers for £20,000 which was a record fee received at the time. Blackburn gave him a chance in the Premier League and he made 86 appearances for them, scoring 20 goals.

Darbyshire had loans at Plymouth Argyle, Wrexham and Olympiacos in between his five-year stay at Ewood Park but departed for Greece permanently in 2009, though in his second campaign he was loaned to Birmingham City, and he scored three times in 20 appearances though none came in the league.

He returned to England permanently with Nottingham Forest and scored 12 goals for them but had loans to Oldham Athletic and Blackpool in the middle of that. He settled at Rotherham United for two seasons before moving to Greece, where he played for Omonia for four seasons.

The well-travelled forward continued to play abroad, having a year with Macarthur in Australia before a return to Greece came about with AEk Larnaca in 2021. He had a short stint with NorthEast United in India in 2022, but came back to England again to play for Bradford, where he departs having made 23 appearances, scoring twice.