Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan has opted against signing a contract with Cambridge and is set to join a club outside of British football. 

The 37-year-old Dubliner had been training with the League Two side and featured in their recent friendly against Ipswich Town.

He was expected to sign with Cambridge ahead of the new season but their manager Colin Calderwood has confirmed that Hoolahan has agreed a contract with a club outside of Britain.

"Unfortunately Wes is not going to sign for us", he told Cambridge'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."