Darren Ambrose

Darren Paul Francis Ambrose (born 29 February 1984) is an English professional footballer who plays for Colchester United as a midfielder.

Ambrose began his career with Ipswich Town when he joined the club's Academy at the age of eleven. He broke through to the first-team in April 2002 in a 2–0 Premiership defeat to Arsenal. After establishing himself as a regular during the 2002–03 season, Ambrose was sold to Newcastle United for £1 million. He made over 50 appearances for Newcastle before joining Charlton Athletic in 2005 for £1.5 million. A four year stay at The Valley saw Ambrose make over 120 appearances, while he also spent time away on loan at his former club Ipswich in the latter stages of his spell with the Addicks. He joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer ahead of the 2009–10 season, making 110 league appearances in three seasons. He signed for Birmingham City for a £250,000 fee in 2012, spending two seasons with the Championship club, but failed to establish himself in the first-team. He was loaned to Greek Superleague side Apollon Smyrni in January 2014, where he scored six goals in eleven outings. Ambrose was released by Birmingham in the summer of 2014, before he rejoined Ipswich on a permanent basis following a trial. He made just eight appearances for his boyhood club before being released the following summer. Ambrose then signed a one-year contract with League One club Colchester United in August 2015.

Ambrose has represented England at under-20 and under-21 level, scoring two goals in ten appearances between 2003 and 2006 for the under-21s, and scoring one goal in four games for the under-20s at the 2005 Toulon Tournament.