Virgo has not featured since being sent off against Leeds in February

Brighton boss Gus Poyet has told defender Adam Virgo he will not get a new contract at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old fans' favourite returned to the Seagulls for a second spell in 2008 after his previous exploits earned him a move to Celtic.

Despite prospering under former managers Mark McGhee and Russell Slade he was stripped of the captaincy on Poyet's arrival at the Withdean.

Virgo has made 158 appearances for the club and scored 17 goals.

A graduate of Brighton's youth set up, he was a key player in the 2004 side that won promotion.

He is remembered by fans for his last-gasp header in the play-off semi-final against Swindon at the Millennium Stadium.

Former Seagullls boss McGhee transformed him into a makeshift striker while in the Championship, where he scored eight goals to help them avoid relegation.

He moved to Parkhead for £1.5m in 2005 but had limited opportunities and, after loans to Coventry and Colchester, returned to the south coast.

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