Former England international Joleon Lescott has had his contract with Greek club AEK Athens terminated by mutual consent.
The 34-year-old defender, who was linked with a move to Rangers during the summer window, suffered a detached cartilage in his knee following AEK's 3-0 defeat to Olympiakos last weekend.
The injury rules Lescott out for the remainder of the season and AEK have elected to terminate their contract with the defender, who managed just four games for the Greek Super League club since joining from Aston Villa.
AEK doctor Pantelis Nickolaou said: "I have seen Joleon and he has a detached cartilage. He had an operation on the same knee eight years ago so maybe there was some weakness in it.
"This was an issue which was examined before signing, but when someone plays since 2000 there is stress at a high level so it can happen to anyone."
Lescott joined AEK on a free transfer from Aston Villa earlier this summer after falling out of favour at the Midlands club.
After turning down a move to Ibrox in the summer, Lescott went on to sign his two-year contract with AEK, which has now been terminated by mutual consent.
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