Wycombe Wanderers have confirmed that former captain and coach Matt Bloomfield has left the club to join Colchester United as their manager.

The 38-year-old has spent the last 19 years at the Adams Park side making 558 appearances in which he scored 42 goals in that time.

Six of those outings happened to be against Wanderers' former Non League rivals.

He retired from the game this February on medical advice following his third serious concussion in three seasons, in which he took up a role in Gareth Ainsworth’s backroom staff.

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His appointment at the League Two club is his first managerial role.

However, his unveiling as Colchester’s new boss comes just two weeks after he revealed he was ‘not in any rush’ to become a full-time boss.

Speaking on September 16, he said: “I would love to [go into management] at some stage in my life.

“It’s a progression that I would like to take but I am not in any rush that’s for sure.

“I’m learning the ropes still as I have got lots to learn, and I couldn’t have two better teachers in the gaffer and Dobbo.

“They couldn’t be more different, two completely different characters in terms of their leadership and coaching backgrounds.

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“But they have got so many positives that I am trying to get and utilise from them.

“And one day I would like to do that but it’s no time soon and I am happier with what I am doing.”

The announcement of Bloomfield was indirectly revealed through social media after a national broadcaster tweeted their congratulations to the former Chairboys player.

The post was swiftly deleted which then forced Colchester to release a statement that confirmation of the appointment would be made ahead of their match against AFC Wimbledon on October 1. 

The U's parted ways with their previous boss Wayne Brown on September 18, after the Essex club won just one of their opening 10 League Two games this season. 

On his departure, Bloomfield said: “I always knew it would have to be something big to take me away from Wycombe Wanderers and I am so excited to begin a new chapter in my career by taking on the role as Head Coach at Colchester.

“It wasn’t a decision I could take lightly, but I’m honoured to have been given an opportunity to further my career in a managerial position and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.

“Wycombe has been – and will continue to be – such a big part of my life and I am so grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way, and all the love and support that I’ve received from the fans, staff, players, board and everyone associated to the club.

“Words cannot describe how privilege I feel to have represented Wycombe for half my life and I will never forget or take for granted how much I enjoyed pulling on the shirt or turning up each day for training with such an incredible group of people.”

Manager Gareth Ainsworth said: “It’s a bittersweet day for me, saying goodbye to not just a fantastic coach and person, but also a very close friend who’s been there alongside me for every step of the journey we’ve been on since I joined the club in 2009.

"But my over-riding emotion is pride for Blooms, earning this opportunity to prove what he can do as a manager and take all of his experiences from his time at Wycombe to turn Colchester around and get them up the league."