Kaizer Chiefs will not be renewing former Bafana Bafana defender Fabian McCarthy's contract.

This was announced on the official Chiefs website at the weekend - meaning that as from Monday, McCarthy will be a free agent and can now join the club of his choice.

The 31-year-old centre-back, who enjoyed a strong 2007/08 season for the 'Amakhosi', won two league titles whilst at Chiefs - a club he joined from Mamelodi Sundowns in 2002, having made his Premier League debut for Bloemfontein Celtic back in 1997.

"I am a bit surprised that my contract was not renewed," McCarthy told the official Chiefs website after his meeting at Naturena, with club Chairman Kaizer Motaung.

He added: "I thanked Mr Motaung for the meeting and for all the advice he gave me during my six years at the 'Amakhosi'. I will carry all those life lessons with me for the rest of my life."

McCarthy also said goodbye to the technical staff and plans to say his farewells to the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

He has already been linked with a return to Sundowns, but the defender said he did not "know anything about that".

Bloem Celtic, SuperSport United, Thanda Royal Zulu and Mpumalanga Black Aces have all reportedly shown an interest in signing McCarthy.

"I am now officially a free agent," he stressed.