Relegated Norwich City are busy making plans for life back in the Championship next season and manager Alex Neil has now confirmed his retained list. Whilst some key players have extended their contracts, nine have been released.
The majority of those to go are youngsters who haven’t made a significant impact on the first-team setup at Carrow Road. Neil is clearly looking to free up space in his squad for more summer recruits.
Good news is that Scottish international defender Steven Whittaker has penned a new one-year deal, as has 19-year-old centre back Michee Efete. Young midfielder Ray Grant has also signed a similar deal.
In addition to those, a further five have had one-year contract clauses invoked, meaning they will also be extending their stays at the club. Those are headlined by the long-serving Wes Hoolahan, who has been a key player for the club for some time. Norwegian international Alexander Tettey has pens an extension, as does former Hull City centre back Michael Turner. Jamie Eaton-Collins and Ben Killip completes the list.
Now onto those who are leaving the football club. The highest-profile individual on the list of nine is midfielder Gary O’Neil. Yesterday he signed a contract with Bristol City, so he has aleady tied up a move elsewhere.
The remaining players are on the fringes of the first-team squad, from within the Under-21s or regularly spent time out on loan. Striker Jamar Loza played six times for the club but spent even more time away on loan at clubs such as Yeovil Town, Southend United and Coventry City. He leaves the club.
Ex-Chelsea youngster Reiss Awuah leaves having struggled with injury problems in recent times. Centre back Afolabi Coker, a former Leeds player, moves on having played 15 times for the Under-21s last season. Adel Gafaiti, Reece Hall-Johnson, Cameron King, Cameron Norman and Arinse Uade completes the list of names to be released.
