Cambridge United can today confirm that Josh Coulson has left the Club by mutual consent following ten years with the U's, in order to complete a permanent move to Leyton Orient.
Having enjoyed a successful six month loan in the National League with the O's during the first half of the 2017/18 season, despite suffering injury, Coulson now switches to the Matchroom Stadium permanently bringing an end to a decade of service at Cambridge United.
On departing the U's, Coulson commented: "I would like to say a massive thank you to everybody at the Club, as well as the fans who have supported me during my time with Cambridge United.
"It does feel like the end of an era and whilst I'm looking forward to a new chapter, I will never forget the fantastic highs I have experienced with this Football Club.
"I'll still be around the place in the future, and I'll be on the terraces soon enough. But for now I would just like to say thank you from both myself and my family and wish the Club all the best for the future."
Meanwhile, Football Director Graham Daniels added: "This is obviously a bittersweet day for everyone at Cambridge United. It is the right move for Josh but it obviously means saying goodbye to someone who is very special to the fans and everyone at the Club.
"Cambridge born and bred Josh has made an immense contribution to Cambridge United in so many different ways - on and off the pitch - over the last decade. He has done so much it is hard to know where to start. He has been there through all the darkest days and the brightest moments of recent years - a pillar of strength on the pitch and a real leader off it with his endless good humour and selflessness. No one has done more as an ambassador for Cambridge United in the community because nothing is ever too much trouble for Josh and his first instinct is to help people. He came to embody everything that has been best about the football club in recent times.
"Josh leaves Cambridge United a genuine Club legend. We are so pleased we were able to mark his contribution to the Club in his testimonial last year. The warmth of the tribute from the fans was testament to the affection and respect in which they have rightly always held him. And of course it was so fitting that Josh wrote his own page in the history of the Club. Coulson in front of the Newmarket Road end, our first goal back in the league - a real moment to cherish and one that almost took the roof off the stand."
Coulson first joined United as part of the youth scheme back in 2006 and signed his first professional contract at the end of that season, before making his professional debut for his boyhood Club against Halifax in 2007.
Since then, the centre-back has lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium, been a key member of the team that achieved promotion in 2013/14, and featured in both Emirates FA Cup fixtures against Manchester United, becoming a fans favourite in the process. His final tally of appearances for the U's stands at a remarkable 324 games.
On behalf of the Football Club, Daniels concluded: "Thank you Josh from everyone at Cambridge United. It has been our great good fortune to have had you at the Club for over a decade. You have been and always will be 'one of our own'. We will miss you and we all wish you every success in this next chapter of your career."