Os defender has contract terminated

League One side Leyton Orient have terminated the contract of defender Elliot Omozusi following his conviction last week.

The former Fulham youngster was jailed for two-and-a-half years last Friday for his participation in an act of revenge against a witness in a gang related murder trial. A statement on the club website said, “Following the recent conviction of Elliot Omozusi and subsequent prison sentence of 30 months, the club has reviewed its legal position and has terminated the contract of the defender.”

Omozusi, who has also had loan spells at Norwich and Charlton, made a total of 61 appearances for the London Club and won the player of the year award just last season. But his acrimonious antics has left a bitter taste in the mouth of Orient Manager Russell Slade. He commented, “I’m really disappointed. It’s not good news for the football club or the boy. He was a key player for us last season. It’s upsetting all round.”

Orient Skipper Stephen Dawson also insisted that the incident wouldn’t affect the clubs performances on the pitch as they continue their push up the League One table. He added, “We have got to do a job. We get paid to go out there and it can’t affect us too much. We have to get our heads down.”