Damien Duff departs the Club after five years of service in SW6, during which time he was involved in some of our most memorable years. He joined Fulham in 2009 and his debut season saw him play an influential role as Fulham reached the Final of the UEFA Europa League. He subsequently helped the Whites to consecutive top-10 finishes in the Barclays Premier League and departs Craven Cottage having played 173 matches, scoring 22 times in the process. During his time at the Club, Duff won his 100th, and final, cap for the Republic of Ireland at the European Championships in 2012. Injuries limited his impact in the 2013/14 season and his last Fulham game came in the FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United in February. Another long serving player to leave the Club is midfielder Steve Sidwell, who scored 17 times in 113 Fulham games. Brought to the Club, initially on loan, from Aston Villa in January 2011, the ‘Ginger Iniesta’ became a firm crowd favourite courtesy of his work rate and knack for popping up with important goals. His final season at Fulham saw him finish as top goalscorer. Popular midfielders Giorgos Karagounis and Mahamadou Diarra are also on the released list. The evergreen Karagounis enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Fulham faithful, playing with brilliant passion in each of his 47 appearances, while Diarra brought power, quality and high-level experience when anchoring the midfield during his two spells at the Club. John Arne Riise’s final appearance for Fulham at Stoke City was his 100th for the Club, while Derek Boateng also leaves for pastures new following a solitary season in SW6. Matthew Briggs will be leaving the Club after making 28 appearances, during which time he scored once; a fantastic long range strike against Crusaders in the Europa League. He remains the Premier League's youngest ever player, following his appearance against Middlesbrough at the end of the 2006/07 season. John Heitinga impressed during his 14-game stay at the Club after signing on a short-term deal from Everton in January, with the tenacious defender proving to be one of our most consistent performers in our ultimately unsuccessful battle to avoid relegation. Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is the final player to depart who has played First Team football for Fulham – his sole appearance coming in a 2-2 draw with Odense in the Europa League Group Stage. The Club would also like to thank the following youngsters for their contributions during their time at Fulham: Charles Banya, Alex Brister, Dino Islamovic, Ronny Minkwitz, Max Oberschmidt and Josh Pritchard. We, of course, wish all these players the best in their future careers Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/23/player-departures
No surprises really... The only ones I was expecting to try and keep was Sidwell and Heitinga but probably have better offers from other PL clubs! Why Bent is not on the list?
Bent and Holtby were on loan so will automatically return to there clubs I think on top of this list a few more will be sold Ruiz, Steklenburg and if we get a decent offer Mitroglou
"while Derek Boateng also leaves for pastures new following a solitary season in SW6." Strange to see Tankovic isn't on the list.
Thanks FI - missed him tucked away there. Duly amended. The Tank is listed as "offer" - in the other list included in the 'Official - Full List of Players Status" thread.
Yes I just noticed that after I had posted here. Sounds more promising than we'd anticipated. A bit sad to see the likes of Sidwell and Heitinga on the list but 'Out with the old, in with the new' I suppose.
Derek Boateng has joined Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...oFzz7gNMsw1LP4fElyar9t4Yk6F5Abv0Oyw5hgKNDYJ2v Source: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-flop-seals-spain-switch-7209568
And Brede is gone! Good luck to him, but nothing added last season. Always will be remembered as one of the great. http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/june/03/hangeland-departs
That deserves its own thread. Worryingly, we now have only 11 players in the squad who would count against the 25 man squad (if we still had such restrictions). We really need to start bringing some players in now, or we'll be left with a team of strangers and kids come August.
I personally thought that the last season Brede had become somewhat of a liability, loosing his edge and as a captain failing to motivate. But he was at his peak a great centre half, and possibly Roys best signing. BEST WISHES BREDE AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING
Johnny Heitinga has signed a two year deal with Hertha Berlin. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpWXLT3IUAAsyYH.jpg We move on but as Madness said ealier would have been good to at least try and keep him.
Some (potentially) interesting numbers for consideration/discussion: 13 - the number of members of last year's first team squad to have departed thus far this summer 30.5 - the average age of the 13 senior players to leave Craven Cottage so far this summer 4 - the number of first team players aged under 30 to leave this summer 26.5 - the average age of the current projected first team 0 - the number of left backs in the current first team squad (although Amorebieta, Richardson & Burn could play there) 28 - the age of Fulham's forgotten man, Bryan Ruiz 3 - the number of players aged over 30 currently contracted to Fulham 63 - number of days until the new season starts
Having been on trial with them, Dino Islamovic has now officially joine FC Groningen. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpcAFwbIMAA3E-j.jpg
"Stoke City have signed midfielder Steve Sidwell on a free transfer following his release by relegated Fulham. The 31-year-old, the Cottagers' top scorer last season, will join the Potters on a two-year deal on July 1. "Steve was much in demand and we are delighted to have won the race to secure his signature," said Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes. The former Chelsea player is Stoke's second signing of the summer following the capture of Phil Bardsley." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27769534 He got the two year Premier League deal he wanted. More power to him; sad he's gone (we could have used his passion in the Championship), but ultimately I don't think he's good enough to play in the Premier League.
Josh Pritchard has signed a 2 year deal with Gillingham. please log in to view this image Link to pic: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqWHzwPCIAEA8qf.jpg
According to French sports paper L'Equipe Toulouse are interested in John Arne Riise. There must be a joke in there somewhere!!
Max Oberschmidt has gone to German League 3 side Energie Cottbuss and Ronny Minkwitz to SV Darmstadt 98 in the Bundesliga 2.
Matt Briggs has signed for Millwall. please log in to view this image Wonder if Olly will play him on the 16th!?
