Mexico striker Franco to be released by West Ham

Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has admitted he will be released by West Ham when his contract expires at the end of June.

Franco scored for Mexico against England at Wembley on Monday and will play for his country in the World Cup, but he has failed to impress the Premier League club enough to earn a new deal.

The 33-year-old, who moved to Upton Park last year and scored five times this season, will be allowed to leave on a free transfer.

He told the club’s official website: “I don’t know where I’ll be next season. West Ham told me ‘bye bye’ so I won’t be with West Ham next season.

“Now my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I’ll think about next season.

“Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in West Ham, but now it’s finished and this is football.”