There may be some exciting news to come at Ipswich Town in the next few weeks, but a sad note has hit with the retirement of a popular former player.

A Tractor Boys academy graduate, Luke Hyam has had to call time on his career at the age of just 29 due to a persistent back injury.

The battling midfielder made his Ipswich debut back in 2010 as a 19-year-old, with then-manager Roy Keane showing full faith in the youngster by throwing him in for the first hame of the season.

Despite his debut at a young age, it took Hyam a few years to become a regular at Portman Road, and between 2012 and 2014 made 65 league appearances, but then injuries started to take over.

He missed the whole of the 2016/17 campaign and ended up being released by the club in 2018, subsequently joining Southend United for two years.

Hyam made his last footballing appearance in November 2019 before leaving Southend in June last year, and he hasn't been able to shake off a back problem since.

He's already making steps into his future career though as he's almost completed a personal training course and there are hopes that he can be a success away from football.

Ipswich fans have been reacting to Hyam's unfortunate announcement on Twitter - check out some of the responses.