Former Carlisle United defender Tom Aldred is looking for a new challenge as his time with Brisbane Roar comes to an end.

He has spent the last five years with the Australian club and has captained the side in that time, but has confirmed he is now moving on.

Aldred, 33, is now an Australian citizen after making his home in Queensland since joining the Roar in 2019.

He says he has plenty of football still in front of him and is open-minded to where his next opportunity could be.

Speaking on The Football Firsts Podcast, he said: "This year was the last year of my contract.

"I'm ambitious. I would like to try something new beyond Brisbane, probably a different country.

"I'm in discussions with potential options and in June I will probably have a clearer direction on where I'm going to go."

Aldred started his career with United after coming through the Blues' youth team.

He made six first-team appearances, also enjoying a loan spell at Workington Reds, before signing for Watford in 2010, and went on to play for Stockport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Colchester United, Torquay United, Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Blackpool, Bury and Motherwell before his switch Down Under to join the A-League.

Speaking on the podcast, he recalled of his time with United: "It was one of the last eras where it was old-school YTS, cleaning boots, jobs...

"On my first away trip with the first team I should have had a bow tie on because I was up and down the bus making tea...

"We were skivvies at times - but it was a great upbringing and a great foundation to try and become a footballer."

Speaking about his potential next move, he said: "With me achieving my Australian citizenship that opens doors in Asia, countries like Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, countries that have big soccer leagues, and [as an Australian citizen] you can go in a different quota of player, as an Asian player.

"There's also the Indian league, which is growing.

"There was another club in Australia that wanted to take me but right now I feel I'm ready to try something different."

On the possibility of a return to England, he said: "You can never say never in football, but it would have to be the right club.

"I know what the Football League is like now and, but it would come down to logistics, geographically and the right club.

"I would never say no. At 33 people would say I’m senior now, but for me, I’ve still got good years ahead of me. I feel great, I’ve played every game for the last two years and feel I could go into playing 50 games a year again.

"We’ll see what comes up, but you never know.”