Nathan Clarke: Leyton Orient captain leaves club

Nathan Clarke made 39 appearances for Leyton Orient last season

Leyton Orient captain Nathan Clarke has left the League Two club in order to move north and be closer to his family.

The 31-year-old centre-back made 131 appearances for the O's after moving to east London from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2012.

"While playing here I have been away from my young family. I feel living apart has become too hard," he said.

"I have on many occasions put the club before my family's happiness and that should never happen."

Clarke, who had a year remaining on his contract at the Matchroom Stadium, said the decision to leave the club had "not been easy".

"I would like to start by saying how proud I have been, being captain of this football club," he added in a statement on the Orient website.

"I would also like to thank the manager [Ian Hendon] for understanding my reasons and supporting me.

"In my time here I have had unbelievable support from the fans and I hope they could see I gave everything for the team."