A TRIO of Ayr United players are set to depart the club when their contract expires.
The club confirmed the news as they provided a squad update following the conclusion of their Scottish Championship season.
Eight players are due to have their contracts expire: Paddy Reading; Frankie Musonda; Paul Smith; Charlie Albinson; Carter Jenkins; Dario Viviani; Nathan McGinley and Dimi Konstantopoulos.
Of those, the club has confirmed that Smith, Konstantopoulos and Albinson will be departing Somerset Park when their contracts expire.
It brings to an end a three-year spell in Ayrshire for goalkeeper Albinson, who moved from Warrington on a free transfer in July 2021, while Smith came up through the club's youth ranks.
Goalkeeping coach Konstantopoulos was unlikely to sign any further contract, with the 45-year-old drafted in only to provide additional cover between the sticks.
A club spokesperson added: "Thank you to all of them for their contributions throughout their time at Somerset Park and we wish them every success for the future."
Smith and Albinson took to social media to thank their team-mates, coaches, staff and supporters for their time at the club.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks to all the coach’s and staff over the past 16 year it was pleasure ⚽️😀 <a href="https://t.co/gZxLMAftA4">pic.twitter.com/gZxLMAftA4</a></p>— paul smith (@ppaulsmith8) <a href="https://twitter.com/ppaulsmith8/status/1787502568161026187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Albinson said: "Met some fantastic people and shared some great memories together. The support from the fans has always been brilliant and I wish everyone all the best for the future."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Would like to thank everyone at <a href="https://twitter.com/AyrUnitedFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AyrUnitedFC</a> for the past 3 years. Met some fantastic people and shared some great memories together. The support from the fans has always been brilliant and I wish everyone all the best for the future 🤍🖤 <a href="https://t.co/Z01Hzb4qK2">pic.twitter.com/Z01Hzb4qK2</a></p>— Charlie Albinson (@CharlieAlbinson) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlieAlbinson/status/1787514233514520663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Meanwhile, The Honest Men have also confirmed that the loan deals of several players expiring as the season draws to a close.
Amongst those whose loan deals have now come to an end are this season's top goalscorer Anton Dowds and popular winger Logan Chalmers.
January additions Jack Sanders and Kurt Willoughby are also set to head back to their parent clubs alongside Harry McHugh and Josh Clarke.
Still in contract at the club are Robbie Mutch; Ollie Ecrepont; Nick McAllister; George Stanger; Sean McGinty; Ben Dempsey; Andy Murdoch; Roy Syla; Jamie Murphy; Fraser Bryden; Mark McKenzie; Scott Tomlinson; Max Guthrie; Dylan Watret; Lucas McRoberts; Aiden McGeady; Francis Amartey and Ahkeem Rose.
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