Owen Hargreaves is released by Manchester City

Owen Hargreaves - Summer 2011 Ridiculed for posting videos of himself on YouTube to prove to potential suitors how fit he was, it was Owen Hargreaves who had the last laugh when Manchester City came in for him. A goal on his debut appeared to (GETTY IMAGES)

Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City. The former England midfielder, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, joined Roberto Mancini's side in August 2011 after leaving Manchester United.

He played just four times – and only once in the Premier League, with a 13-minute appearance in October. He scored one goal, in a Carling Cup win over Birmingham. The 31-year-old's last appearance came in the 3-2 FA Cup third-round defeat by United in January, when he played the final eight minutes.

Hargreaves, who had operations on both knees in 2008 and 2009, was not included in City's Champions League squad.

City have also released the Israeli midfielder Gai Assulin, and the academy graduates Ahmed Benali and Sean Tse.