Woodgate, Vieira lead big-name departures

Jonathan Woodgate and Patrick Vieira were among several high-profile English Premier League players listed for free transfers on Thursday.

Tottenham Hotspur have opted to cut loose injury-plagued centre-back Woodgate, while Manchester City have decided not renew the contract of 34-year-old midfielder Vieira.

Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has parted company with manager-less Aston Villa, as has veteran Frenchman Robert Pires and Norwegian striker John Carew.

As expected, there were a host of departures from the relegated teams, with Birmingham City releasing Lee Bowyer, Sebastian Larsson, James McFadden and Kevin Phillips.

England international Matthew Upson, together with Jonathan Spector and Danny Gabbidon, left West Ham.

And Blackpool granted free transfers to David Carney, Marlon Harewood, Andy Reid and Richard Kingson.

Some long-term servants called time on their careers at champions Manchester United, with Edwin Van Der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville formally released following their retirements.

They were joined by midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who has featured in less than 30 matches since arriving at Old Trafford for 17 million pounds in May 2007.

Stoke City released Eidur Gudjohnsen, Abdoulaye Faye and Ibrahima Sonko.

Fulham let go Zoltan Gera, Diomansy Kamara and John Pantsil.

Boudewijn Zenden left Sunderland, Abdoulaye Meite departed West Brom and Wolverhampton Wanderers released Marcus Hahnemann.

And after committing his future to Wigan Athletic, Roberto Martinez brought the axe down on his squad, cutting adrift eight players, including Steven Caldwell, Daniel De Ridder, Jason Koumas and Mike Pollitt.