Atletico release Seitaridis

Atletico Madrid have released Giourkas Seitaridis a year before his contract is due to expire.

Rojiblanco cancel defender's contract a year before it expires

Atletico Madrid have released defender Giourkas Seitaridis a year before his contract is due to expire. The 27-year-old is the second player to be released in a matter of days after Portuguese midfielder Maniche was shown the door last week. The pair were originally suspended by the club after both failed to turn up to a match they had been selected for against Sporting Gijon. Seitaridis has started just 10 times in the Primera Division this season and it has been reported that the Greek international has found it hard to adapt to life in Spain following his move from Dynamo Moscow in 2006. "Seitaridis is therefore free to negotiate with other clubs who may be interested in signing him," a statement read on the club's official website. Atletico are currently challenging for the fourth UEFA Champions League place and host current occupants of fourth spot Valencia on Sunday with one point separating the two teams.