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The 22 year-old turned down the offer of an extended contract from the Pars citing the reason that he "wants to better himself elsewhere" - just where is a mystery.
Although Byrne has turned in a number of good performances for the Pars, he has failed to find a solid level of consistency since joining the club which makes it hard to believe that the Irishman feels he has achieved all he can at East End!
Although the big defender has had a fairly lacklustre start to the new campaign, it would be fair to say that this latest development will come as somewhat of a shock to Pars fans.
On a brighter note, Ritchie's fellow Irishmen Noel Hunt and Gary Dempsey look set to agree new deals which will see them through to 2007. This also comes on the back of youngsters Billy Mehmet and Aaron Labonte agreeing new two-year deals at the club.