FANS’ favourite David Dunn, one of the most talented players to play for Blackburn Rovers, has announced he will leave the club at the end of the campaign. 

The 35-year-old from Great Harwood is out of contract in the summer and, in a statement released this morning, he has confirmed his 14th season at Ewood Park will be his last.

Dunn, who has made 377 appearances and scored 59 goals across two spells for his beloved Rovers, will now begin the search for a new club where he will look to prolong his playing career.

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But the one-capped England international, who helped Rovers win promotion to the Premier League in 2001 and the Worthington Cup in 2002 after rising through the ranks, hopes to return to the club in the future in a coaching capacity.

Dunn, a midfielder blessed with great skill and vision, said: “All good things come to an end, or so they say, and as my 27-year association with Blackburn Rovers comes to what I hope might only be a temporary close, I wanted to place some thoughts and debts of gratitude on record.

“Having first arrived at Ewood as an eight year old with the usual boyhood dreams, I am proud to say that what unfolded in the 27 years thereafter has been something of which I am exceptionally proud.

“I have lived the dream of playing for my hometown club, during which time to be capped by my country, whilst wearing the blue-and-white halves, transcended even the wildest of those dreams.

“Having had the privilege to play for Rovers in front of my granddad, who as everyone knows has been a lifelong inspiration, and more recently my two sons, are memories I will cherish forever.

“There have been some fantastic times and inevitably some not so good, and it is disappointing that I am not able to say my goodbyes with the club in its rightful position in the Premier League and certainly the last months of my Ewood playing career have not panned out with the game time I always crave, but now is not the time to dwell on negatives.

“I have played with some fantastic players and there have been some very good managers at various stages, all contributing to the most fabulously enjoyable playing career.

“It is on record that I am working towards the highest coaching qualifications I can achieve and one day, who knows, the dream may be resurrected in the Ewood technical area.

“For the short term however, I intend to carry on playing, knowing that my last starting appearance in the FA Cup win at Charlton confirmed that there was still something worthwhile to contribute.

“I would therefore like to express my sincere thanks to the owners, directors, management, staff and team-mates (both current and former) for their contributions at different times.

“But last and never least, to the outstanding Rovers fans, many of whom have been around supporting and encouraging me for the entirety of my 27 years.

“There is a uniqueness about people in our part of the world, of which I am proud to be one and I do hope that in the near future you get back the Premier League team that you deserve. I hope you have had as much pleasure as I have. 

“Like I said, it’s been a privilege and an honour to represent you. Thank you to every single one of you.”