Bocanegra heads Fulham clear-out

USA international Bocanegra made more than 100 appearances for Fulham

Fulham have released eight players from the club including United States international captain Carlos Bocanegra, it announced on Friday.

Jari Litmanen, Philippe Christanval, Simon Elliott, Ian Pearce, Michael Timlin, Ismael Ehui, and Bjorn Runstrom are the other players to leave.

The Cottagers narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League with a last-day win at Portsmouth.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer signed from Middlesbrough on Thursday.

The club also confirmed that right-back Paul Stalteri has returned to Tottenham Hotspur following the end of his loan spell.

After defender Bocanegra, Finnish veteran Jari Litmanen is the highest-profile name to leave the club amongst the other players.

606: DEBATE Bocanegra has been a superb player for us and his versatility is something we should have kept BlocFFC

The 37-year old attacking midfielder was signed by manager Roy Hodgson in January but was injured for much of his short spell and failed to make a first team appearance.