Happe, who has spent his whole career with the East London club, will be out of contract this summer.
He will be severely missed at the Gaughan Group Stadium, but Orient are in a good position to deal with his departure.
Happe spent two loan spells at non-league club Histon before making his O’s debut in a 3-0 loss to Cambridge United on April 8, 2017.
The defender appeared once more that season, as the club was demoted to the fifth division for the first time in its 143-year history.
Happe established himself as a first-team regular in the National League, appearing 26 times in 2017-18.
He also made 20 appearances the following season as Justin Edinburgh’s team won the league title.
Over the next four seasons, under various managers, the centre-back appeared in 110 League Two games and established himself as one of the club’s main players.
Most recently, Happe has enjoyed the step up to League One, creating a strong relationship with Omar Beckles that has helped the squad exceed expectations.
He has demonstrated that he can compete with the best in the division, which is slightly bad for Orient as the transfer window approaches.
Happe’s contract is coming to an end, which means that other teams have the option of offering him a deal, which they almost probably will.
The O’s will undoubtedly want to negotiate an extension, but they will need to work hard to avoid interest from larger clubs in League One and possibly the Championship.
Should Happe leave this summer, Orient will need to dip in the transfer market to sign another central defender.
However, that signing will not need to replace Happe’s influence, as the O’s already have someone in the squad who can do just that.
Jack Simpson, who signed for Orient in February, has excelled in his three appearances to date.
Simpson was released by Championship club Cardiff in August, because of a scandal, and had been without a club between then and joining Richie Wellens’ side.
“The board and I discussed the possibility of us signing Jack, and we have decided that he deserves his second chance,” Orient chairman Nigel Travis told the club website.
Simpson seemed to have settled well in East London, and after serving a six-game suspension, he made his League One debut in a 3-1 victory over Cheltenham Town.
Replacing Beckles in the backline, the 27-year-old’s poise and passing pleased Orient fans right away.
Wellens then put him in the starting lineup against Exeter City, a 2-2 draw, and Derby County, a 3-0 loss.
Although the results were disappointing, none of the goals were Simpson’s fault, and the aforementioned characteristics remained evident.
Three games is a small sample size, but the defender’s early metrics indicate he could be a success for the Orioles. According to Whoscored, he averages more tackles (1.3), clearances (4.7), and blocks (1.7) per 90 minutes than both Happe and Beckles
also looked after the ball well – as his 37.7 average passes per 90 at 79.6% show.
In Wellens’ system, which heavily involves playing out from the back, Simpson can be a real asset going forward.
The former Bournemouth player, who appeared in 11 Premier League games for the Cherries, has clearly played at a higher level.
Simpson, like Happe, is only contracted until the summer. However, Orient indicated that he arrived with the intention of extending his term in the summer.
Expect the excellent defender to stay in East London and become a key member of the club next season, with or without Happe.
