Leeds United Football Club - Six Departures Confirmed
Six Departures Confirmed
Leeds United have today confirmed that six players will leave the club in the summer after the decision was taken not to renew their contracts.
In addition, the four remaining loan players at the club, Zoumana Camara, Didier Domi, Salomon Olembe and Jermaine Pennant will return to their respective parent clubs.
Two young players though have been offered new deals, and Matthew Kilgallon has recently agreed his new two year contract at Elland Road. Young right-back Stewart Edwards has been offered an extension and is yet to sign.
Amongst the five to leave this summer is David Batty, whose departure was expected once former manager Eddie Gray confirmed he would not be using the 34-year-old for the rest of the season in February.
The former England midfielder has endured an up and down career with the Whites, having started his career with at the club after joining from local side Tingley Athletic in 1985. He went on to win the old First Division title under Howard Wilkinson and was a huge influence on that side before moving to Blackburn in 1993 and later re-signing for United via Newcastle when he became David O'Leary's first signing as Leeds manager in December 1998 for £4.4million.
The midfielder was dropped by O'Leary's successor, Terry Venables and did not feature at all last season, but was recalled by ex-boss Peter Reid this season and made 12 starts until Gray decided he would not be part of his plans.
Batty is expected to retire from football, having turned down various loan offers to play elsewhere in the last year.
Injury hit striker Michael Bridges is also moving on, having already effectively left the club since joining Newcastle in January on loan until the end of the season.
After a great first season in which he found the net 22 times, Michael's time at Elland Road was disrupted by serious injury knee and ankle ligament injuries. He made just 12 appearances for The Whites this season and is currently trying to win a contract with his hometown club.
Another big name who will leave the club is winger Jason Wilcox, denied the chance to push his claims for a new contract by a knee injury that kept him out of action for most of the season and which he has only recently returned from.
Former boss David O'Leary paid Blackburn Rovers £3million for the left winger in a surprise move just before Christmas 1999, and has made 51 league starts in his four and a half-years at the club, fighting with Harry Kewell for much of that time for his position.
He is set to play his final game for the club against Chelsea on Saturday.
21-year-old keeper Shaun Allaway is also at the end of his contract with the club and will leave without making a first team appearance.
The former Reading youngster arrived at the club in a £200,000 deal in March 2000 but struggled straight away after breaking his hand. A number of loan moves to Grimsby and Walsall followed but at Elland Road he was unable to force his way into contention and the emergence of Scott Carson moved him further down the pecking order.
Two more youngsters, Larry Farren and Chris Armstrong are also looking for new clubs. Both have featured for the reserves.
Six Departures Confirmed
Leeds United have today confirmed that six players will leave the club in the summer after the decision was taken not to renew their contracts.
In addition, the four remaining loan players at the club, Zoumana Camara, Didier Domi, Salomon Olembe and Jermaine Pennant will return to their respective parent clubs.
Two young players though have been offered new deals, and Matthew Kilgallon has recently agreed his new two year contract at Elland Road. Young right-back Stewart Edwards has been offered an extension and is yet to sign.
Amongst the five to leave this summer is David Batty, whose departure was expected once former manager Eddie Gray confirmed he would not be using the 34-year-old for the rest of the season in February.
The former England midfielder has endured an up and down career with the Whites, having started his career with at the club after joining from local side Tingley Athletic in 1985. He went on to win the old First Division title under Howard Wilkinson and was a huge influence on that side before moving to Blackburn in 1993 and later re-signing for United via Newcastle when he became David O'Leary's first signing as Leeds manager in December 1998 for £4.4million.
The midfielder was dropped by O'Leary's successor, Terry Venables and did not feature at all last season, but was recalled by ex-boss Peter Reid this season and made 12 starts until Gray decided he would not be part of his plans.
Batty is expected to retire from football, having turned down various loan offers to play elsewhere in the last year.
Injury hit striker Michael Bridges is also moving on, having already effectively left the club since joining Newcastle in January on loan until the end of the season.
After a great first season in which he found the net 22 times, Michael's time at Elland Road was disrupted by serious injury knee and ankle ligament injuries. He made just 12 appearances for The Whites this season and is currently trying to win a contract with his hometown club.
Another big name who will leave the club is winger Jason Wilcox, denied the chance to push his claims for a new contract by a knee injury that kept him out of action for most of the season and which he has only recently returned from.
Former boss David O'Leary paid Blackburn Rovers £3million for the left winger in a surprise move just before Christmas 1999, and has made 51 league starts in his four and a half-years at the club, fighting with Harry Kewell for much of that time for his position.
He is set to play his final game for the club against Chelsea on Saturday.
21-year-old keeper Shaun Allaway is also at the end of his contract with the club and will leave without making a first team appearance.
The former Reading youngster arrived at the club in a £200,000 deal in March 2000 but struggled straight away after breaking his hand. A number of loan moves to Grimsby and Walsall followed but at Elland Road he was unable to force his way into contention and the emergence of Scott Carson moved him further down the pecking order.
Two more youngsters, Larry Farren and Chris Armstrong are also looking for new clubs. Both have featured for the reserves.
