HAMILTON Academical midfielder Massimo Donati has cancelled his playing contract to take up a coaching role with the club academy. 

The 36-year-old joined Martin Canning's side in July 2016 and was on a deal that was due to run for another year and a half. 

However, the Ladbrokes Premiership outfit announced on Monday that the Italian has hung up his boots to start a coaching and management career in the club's youth setup. 

"Massimo has agreed with the club to cancel his current playing contract," read a statement. 

"He has been a model professional within the Club and we are delighted that he has started his coaching and management career within our Academy. 

"He has been an outstanding player at the highest level and we have benefitted from all his experience and the standards he set. 

"Massimo now enters the next phase of his career which I am sure will see him becoming very successful in Management. 

"We wish him every success and look forward to him returning to Hamilton at the head of his own team in the future."

The Italian began his career with Atalanta before sealing a £13.5 million move to Serie A giants AC Milan as a 20-year-old in 2001.

He joined Celtic in 2007 after several loan moves before returning to his home country for spells with Bari, Palermo and Verona prior to signing for Accies.

Donati scored four goals in 53 appearances for Hamilton but found opportunities limited this season, making just 10 league outings.