Brentford legend Kevin O’Connor has quit playing to take up a coaching role at Griffin Park.
The 33-year-old fans’ favourite made more than 500 appearances having come through the club’s youth system.
O’Connor has been named the club’s new development squad coach and will be assisting manager Lee Carsley with the Bees' U21s.
He told the club's official website: "I was very keen to stay at the club. I wanted to stay at Brentford in some capacity. The role has been described as quite a wide ranging one and it was very appealing to me.
"I am looking forward to starting and to the new challenge. "Depending on who the new head coach is I may have a role to play there but I am looking forward to working with the under-21s.
"I realised last summer when I signed a player/coach contract that this was the way my career was going to develop.
"I have been doing more coaching as the season has gone on and I knew this would be an option.
"I could have looked for another club and tried to remain as a player or stay here and help to build the future of Brentford.
"There may have been clubs that would have taken me but it is not something I every really looked in to.
"I always wanted to stay at Brentford. I don't think I could ever have played for another team.
"When I got the offer to stay I was happy and my decision was always going to be to stay at Brentford. "I would love to carry on playing until I am 35/36 but I don't think that would happen at Brentford.
"I will miss playing but I am very happy with the role I have."
O’Connor made his debut in February 2000 against Wycombe Wanderers and became known for his versatility
His last action as a Brentford player was to score the winning penalty for the Bees in a Capital One Cup shoot-out against Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this season.
