Hull City are to release six players as their retained list is announced. High profile departures from the KC Stadium include Paul McShane and Steve Harper, while Stephen Quinn and Alex Bruce are offered new deals.
As the club prepare for life in the Championship after being relegated from the Premier League, the Tigers will be eager to cut the wage bill, with Maynor Figueroa, Joe Dudgeon, Yannick Sagbo and Liam Rosenior joining McShane and Harper in leaving the club.
Quinn and Bruce were the other two out of contract in the summer but they are to be offered new deals after decent seasons in the Premier League. However the decision by Hull not to renew McShane’s contract has seen a huge backlash from fans on Twitter.
The Irishman has become something of a cult hero following his arrival on Humberside seven years ago, and the decision to release him has seen an outcry on social media. The fiery centre back had a falling out with Hull boss Steve Bruce in December and looked set to leave the KC in January. But since then McShane has become something of a key first team figure with 23 games in all competitions this season.
Figueroa, Sagbo and Dudgeon are somewhat expected departures due to the lack of first team football they’ve had. Dudgeon has been on loan at Barnsley this season and all leave with less than ten first team appearances this season between them.
Harper leaves after ousting first choice ‘keeper Allan McGregor earlier this season and the 40-year-old is widely expected to retire after over 20 years in the game. While Rosenior is another who Hull fans are sad to see go, he’s been mainly a benchwarmer this season due to the form of fellow right back Ahmed Elmohamady.