Airdrie player/assistant Callum Fordyce in shock exit as defender chooses to call time on Diamonds stint

Airdrieonians have announced the shock exit of player/assistant boss Callum Fordyce.

The defender, who is the cousin of Diamonds player/boss Rhys McCabe, has been an integral part of the Diamonds' success over the last few years but the 31-year-old has 'chosen to call time' on his five-year spell at the Monklands club.

'Dycey' helped the club win promotion from League One to the Championship in the 2022/23 campaign and also lifted the SPFL Trust Trophy with the club this season, defeating The New Saints 2-1 in the final at Falkirk Stadium. However, the former Livingston centre-back is moving to pastures new with the Diamonds announcing his surprising exit this evening.

In a statement, Fordyce said: "Over my five years at Airdrie I've made some great memories - winning promotion, lifting a trophy, reaching 200 appearances and being inducted into the Hall of Fame, which is a tremendous honour.

"I'd like to thank Stuart [Miller, the former directoir of football] and Paul [Hetherington, the chairman] for bringing me to the club and giving me the opportunity to achive all of that.

"I have played with some incredible team-mates and made some incredible friends, and I want to thank you, the supporters, for the way you accepted me into your club. I've greatly appreciated your support over the years, and hopefully I'm leaving with some good memories.

"Thank you to everyone connected with Airdrieonians for my time at the club. I wish you all the success in the future."

A club statement read: "Player/assistant-manager Callum Fordyce has chosen to call time on a successful five-year spell with Airdrieonians, and will move on this summer having left a huge mark during his time with the Diamonds.

"Initially signed in May 2019, Callum