Doncaster Rovers: Coppinger reveals career at Keepmoat is over

The 33-year-old had verbally agreed a new three-year deal pending the successful takeover of the club by John Ryan and Louis Tomlinson, but following its collapse, he will now look for pastures new.

Coppinger’s existing Rovers deal expired at the end of June, with the current board not offering him fresh terms.

Coppinger, who joined the club for a bargain £30,000 in May 2004 and has been an integral part of the most golden era in Rovers history, insists he has no axe to grind and is philosophical about having to find new employers.

Speaking exclusively to the Yorkshire Post, Coppinger said: “My career is definitely finished at Doncaster.

“It’s been a surreal time after being offered a three-year contract to then being not at the club. It’s taken a couple of days to get my head around it.

“I have got to stress I never got offered anything by the club (existing board), so they have kind of made the decision for me. But again, I respect that decision and it’s the way the club want to go and at the end of the day, it’s run by people who paid my wages for ten years.”

Several Championship and League One sides have expressed varying levels of interest in Coppinger, one of whom is thought to be Barnsley.

A testimonial game to mark Coppinger’s ten years at Rovers is likely to take place next year.

See more in tomorrow’s Yorkshire Post.