Fulham release eight

Hodgson wields the axe at Craven Cottage

Last updated: 23rd May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fulham release eight

Litmanen: Shown the door

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Roy Hodgson has wasted little time in setting about reshaping his Fulham squad for next season having informed eight players they are surplus to requirements.

The Craven Cottage chief is eager to stamp his own mark on the club having staved off the drop on the final day of the season.

Jari Litmanen, Carlos Bocanegra, Philippe Christanval, Simon Elliott, Ian Pearce, Michael Timlin, Ismael Ehui and Bjorn Runstrom have all been informed they will not be having their contracts renewed.

Finnish star Litmanen only arrived in West London in January but a series of niggling injuries prohibited his involvement and he leaves without having clocked up a single appearance.

Carlos culled

News of Bocanegra's release may surprise some Fulham supporters given he made 26 appearances last season, while veteran Pearce severs ties after four years in the capital.

USA international Bocanegra admits he is disappointed to be leaving Fulham and is keen on remaining in England.

"I got a call about the release earlier today but we had both known it had been coming for a while.

"I love England and had a great four-and-a-half years at Fulham. I would like to stay in the Premier League but I'm focused on the US team right now so I will let my agent handle all that. We have some big games coming up and then we have World Cup qualifiers."

Paul Stalteri, who spent the end of the campaign on-loan at Fulham, has returned to parent club Tottenham.