West Ham United have released 12 players from the club after they announced their retained list for the end of the 2015/16 season. 

Mr. Reliable 

The biggest name that will be leaving the club this summer is Joey O'Brien. The Irishman will not be joining the team at the Olympic Stadium next season and will end his five-year stay with the Hammers. 

The 30-year-old moved to the Boleyn Ground on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers back in 2011 and helped the side secure promotion back to the Premier League via the 2012 play-offs. 

His reliability earned him a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad in 2012 but he only played seven games this season, five of those in the Europa League qualifiers, and finishes his Hammers career with 105 appearances and three goals. 

Big loan names will also not been joining the team next season, with Alex Song, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike all moving back to Barcelona, Chelsea and Fenerbache respectively. 

Above: Young striker Elliot Lee in action for former club West Ham United | Photo: Arfur Griffiths
Young striker Elliot Lee in action for now former club West Ham United. | Photo: Arfa Griffiths

Big and better things 

West Ham have also released a number of young players from their set-up, with the biggest name of those been 21-year-old striker Elliot Lee. 

Lee, who impressed on loan at Colchester United last season, made his Premier League debut back in August 2013. He went on to make six senior appearances and scored in the first qualifying round of the Europa League against FC Lusitans last August. 

He has been joined out of the exit door by Jordan Brown, Leo Chambers, Amos Nasha and Nathan Mavila, who have all had a taste of the senior squad. 

Nasha appeared alongside Lee against FC Lusitans, while Chambers made three appearances in the 2013 League Cup campaign.

Brown made one appearance in Europa League third qualifying round against Astra Giurigu and, following his release, has moved to Hannover 96.

Mavilla, finally, was included in the matchday squad on the sole occasion. 

Scholars Tim Brown, Clark Bogard and Ross Elsom have also been released by the club.