Star midfielder Jamie Devitt is set to leave Carlisle United after turning down a new contract.

The Blues today confirmed that Devitt had formally rejected their offer of new terms at Brunton Park.

And Devitt has said he is "gutted" to be leaving but was proud to have played for the club.

The news brings an end to United's hopes of hanging on to the 28-year-old, who has tonight been linked with Plymouth among other League One and Two clubs.

Carlisle had offered Devitt a contract at the end of last season.

United's director of football David Holdsworth said: “We did what we could with a very good offer to try to tempt Jamie to stay but his agent has been in touch this afternoon to confirm that the player has decided to turn it down.

“Jamie is a great lad and we wish him all the very best as he moves on to a new challenge.”

Some fans have criticised the club for not moving to tie down Devitt sooner, and for the length of contract understood to have been tabled.

Holdsworth said last week that United had "done everything they could" and had offered the Irish player an "extremely good deal".

He has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, including United's League Two rivals Swindon and Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian.

Devitt made 130 appearances and scored 22 goals in three seasons at Brunton Park after joining from Morecambe.

In the last two campaigns, he established himself as one of their most influential players, including a spell wearing the captain's armband last season.

Manager Steven Pressley had hoped to build a side around the schemer next term and said in May that the contract offer would have made Devitt the club's highest-paid player.

Devitt tonight write on Twitter about his time at Carlisle and their fans.

He said: "Gutted to be writing this but it's been an absolute pleasure to play for your club.

"I have loved every minute of it and am very proud I got to captain the club for a couple of games that will live with me forever.

"I have made friends for life in that dressing room and I wish every one of you success in the future.

"The fans, you have stuck by me when I wasn't playing well and have always helped me and all I can say to you is THANK YOU.

"I wish Carlisle all the best in the future, the club deserves to be in a higher division.

"I will certainly be looking for your results."