LEICESTER CITY have confirmed that SEVEN star players have been released after their contracts expired.
The Foxes have just been relegated from the Premier League and are in the process of building a team with the aim of a quick promotion out of the Championship.
Among the players to leave the club is Belgian international Youri Tielemans, who has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs.
The midfielder confirmed that he would be leaving the club last week when he posted an emotional message on Instagram.
During his time at the club, he became an important member of the midfield and even scored a spectacular winning goal to earn the club victory in the FA Cup final in 2021.
The goal ended the club’s 13-year wait to win the trophy at Wembley Stadium.
Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Perez and Tete have all also been released.
Soyuncu is believed to be on his way to LaLiga with reports claiming that he has agreed a deal to join Atletico Madrid.
Former Champions League winner Bertrand will also leave the club after joining two years ago on a free transfer from Southampton.
Tete only joined the Foxes in January on a short-term deal but will now return to Shakhtar Donetsk on July 1.
Perez leaves permanently having spent the second half of last season out on loan at LaLiga side Real Betis.
During his time at the King Power Stadium, he made 114 appearances scoring 15 goals and assisting 12 more.
The club have exercised the option to extend the contract of midfielder Hamza Choudhury until June 2024.
Meanwhile, discussions are still underway over the future of club captain Jonny Evans ahead of his contract expiry at the end of the month.
The statement on the club’s website concludes: “The Football Club extends its thanks to all seven players for their contributions during their time with Leicester City and wishes them every success in the next stages of their respective careers.”
