DUNFERMLINE chairman Ross McArthur has praised Callum Morris' "honourable and professional" approach after it was confirmed he will be leaving the club.

It was announced on Saturday that the popular centre back, who had been offered a new contract to stay with the Athletic, would be moving on to try his luck once more in England.

Club captain Morris, 28, returned to East End for a second spell in January last year but won't be extending his stay after a season-and-a-half.

Speaking to the club's website, McArthur praised the Newcastle-born player's handling of contract negotiations, commenting: "After much thought and deliberation, Callum has informed us that he wishes to move back down south and try his luck again in England.

"We wish Callum well and thank him for his loyal service to our club, both on and off the field, over two spells, at East End Park.

"Callum took the time to meet me in person to inform me of his decision face-to-face, and I would like to praise Callum for the honourable and professional manner (in which) he has conducted himself during our discussions."

After starting his career with his hometown club and boyhood favourites, Morris played for Blyth Spartans before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.

From there, he played for Hayes and Yeading and Morpeth United before being signed for Dunfermline by Jim Jefferies in the summer of 2012.

Morris, who told Press Sport that he considered quitting the game before he arrived at East End, went on to play 67 matches over two seasons.

After the club were plunged into a relegation fight - which ultimately saw them drop to League One - because of well-documented financial problems, Morris left for Dundee United after an instant return to the second tier was denied courtesy of a play-off defeat to Cowdenbeath.

After two years at Tannadice, and a brief spell with Aberdeen, Morris returned to Dunfermline in January 2016 and was appointed club captain this season.

In total, he made 123 appearances for the Pars, scoring seven goals.