Wes Hoolahan turns down Cambridge United to pursue opportunity outside the UK

Cambridge United manager Colin Calderwood has confirmed that Wes Hoolohan turned down a contract offer from the English League Two club to continue his career in another country.

The former Ireland international has been training with the Us in the off-season following his release from West Bromwich Albion but has opted not to sign for the club.

37-year-old former Shelbourne midfielder Hoolohan has reportedly received an offer from outside Britain and Ireland and will take it up for the coming year.

The Sean McDermott Street native made 43 appearances for Ireland over ten years and famously scored the opening goal in the 1-1 draw with Sweden at Euro 2016 in France.

Calderwood expressed his regret at missing out on a permanent deal for the Dubliner, who he says had a significant impact in his short time training with the club.

"Unfortunately Wes is not going to sign for us,” the former Tottenham Hotspur defender told the club’s official website.

"He told me yesterday. There's a nice opportunity for him and we’ve got no hold on him and it suits him and his family.

"We wish him all the best, it’s a blow for us as we had real hopes and every indication that he was going to be a very important factor in helping us achieve what we want to achieve this season.

"He never signed, he never crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s. I have no complaints, I really enjoyed having him around the environment, and he’s definitely helped everyone.

"What we have to do is take the moments he’s been here, as he’s really lifted and improved in that short period the standard of training and shown the rest of the lads different qualities that are required."