The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder has quit the band to "explore a slightly different path".

Jeff joined the band in 2007 replacing original guitarist James Iha when frontman Billy Corgan reunited the band following their split in 2000 and he remained with the group after Iha's return in 2018 - but he's now decided to walk away for good.

The 49-year-old musician confirmed the news in a post on Instagram, writing: "It's easy to say now that when I joined the Smashing Pumpkins 2007 I had no idea what I was getting into. The opportunity seemed to have come out of nowhere.

"I was at UCLA working on my doctorate in comparative literature when a close friend messaged me and said the Smashing Pumpkins were looking for a guitar player. Being a huge fan of the band, the audition was something I threw myself into. It was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify."

He added of his decision to exit the band: "Although it was a very difficult decision to make, I've decided to leave the band to make some space to explore a slightly different path. I want to thank Billy, Jimmy, James, and Jack for being both wonderful bandmates and even better friends. I will absolutely miss sharing the stage with you. I wish the band all the success in the future. I will be watching and listening."

The Smashing Pumpkins added in their own statement: "We thank Jeff for his ceaseless dedication to the band and our great fans. Words can not express our gratitude and appreciation for the friend he is, and being there for SP in the good times and the tough times, too."