Hargreaves and Woodgate released by clubs

Hargreaves has been shown the exit (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves, Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate and West Ham defender Matthew Upson are some of the bigger names to be released by their clubs this summer.

The Premier League has published its lists of retained players and those available on a free transfer, and it is no surprise to see the three relegated clubs – Birmingham City, West Ham United and Blackpool – offloading 32 players between them. Patrick Vieira, who is 35 next week, has left Manchester City, while the former City striker Benjani Mwaruwari has been released by Blackburn Rovers and Eidur Gudjohnsen given a free by Stoke City.