Sheffield Wednesday have announced that veteran goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has left the club after snubbing a one-year contract extension.

The 34-year-old slipped behind Kieren Westwood in the pecking order at Hillsborough last season and has consequently decided to leave in search of regular football.

The former Liverpool stopper released a statement via the club's official website, saying: "This has been a really tough decision and one that I have mulled over through the summer but I have decided to move on.

"I want a new challenge at this stage of my career. Everyone loves to play first team football and I am no different. I came back to the club this week to do things the right way, which is in person because I have a lot of friends at this football club who deserve full respect.

"I would like to thank all the staff who have been so supportive in my three years with Wednesday and wish the new head coach and the new chairman nothing but the very best. And, of course, I would like to thank the fans, who have been different class and I hope to see them at the other end of the field soon."

Kirkland joined the Owls in 2012 following a six-year spell with Wigan Athletic, whom he joined from the Reds in 2006.