Long-serving Dartford player Lee Burns is leaving the club to work overseas.

The 32-year-old has made 263 appearances for the Darts, scoring 33 goals, since arriving at Princes Park from Braintree Town in June 2009.

But Burns didn't feature in the 2-1 home defeat to Altrincham on Saturday and manager Tony Burman revealed after the game why the full-back wasn't involved.

He said: "Unfortunately Burnsie is leaving us now because he’s been offered a contract, work-wise, out of the country. He goes on Wednesday. I knew about it three weeks ago but I needed him to be around.

"Unfortunately he leaves us now and I wish him all the best. He’s been absolutely brilliant for this club. He’s out of the country for about three months. It’s a work commitment he could not turn down. It was an awkward position but he’s been brilliant for us."

It looks like Burns could return to Dartford next season after he posted the following messages on Twitter.

Burman said: "I don’t know if he’s played his last game for the club but I can’t stand in the way of players who have got work commitments – any of them. If they’ve got a contract out of the country, whether it’s a day, two days, three days, they have to do that.

"This is a big contract for him and he’s explained the situation to me and he just can’t turn that down because he’s got a family to support.

"I’m not saying he’s never going to be here again or anything like that. At this moment in time, he’s got to take the job. I knew about it three weeks ago, that’s when he got the contract done.

"He’s one of the originals, if you like. He’s been brilliant for us and his attitude is fantastic.

"Lots of people have done well at this club – volunteers, supporters, players, everybody – they’ve all tried their best and Burnsie’s one of those people."