Chelsea Star Frank Lampard Amongst High Profile Names Released by Premier League Clubs

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner are among the high profile names released by Premier League clubs following the conclusion of the 2013/14 season.

England vice-captain Lampard, who joined the Blues from West Ham in 2001, is now a free agent along with Ashley Cole, Samuel Eto'o and Mark Schwarzer after the Premier League confirmed the retained and released players lists on Friday.

Gareth Barry, who has spent the season on loan at Everton, has been released by Manchester City along with defender Joleon Lescott and understudy goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.

After much speculation it would appear that Manchester United have retained the services of Patrice Evra after the full back was linked with following Nemanja Vidic out of the club. His inclusion on the 'retained' players list suggests the Frenchman has signed an extension after triggering a contract clause to add another year to his deal.

Rio Ferdinand, Sam Byrne and Federico Macheda are amongst the other outgoing names at Old Traffford.

The inclusion of such names in the 'free transfers' lists is not necessarily the end of their time at their respective clubs, however. The Premier League state: "Please note that players signified as a 'free transfer' or released by a club could remain there next season and so this list should not be seen as definitive for players leaving their club."

Other notable names on the released list include exiled Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, West Ham United trio Joe Cole, David Collison and George McCartney, Crystal Palace pair Marouane Chamakh and Julian Speroni and Dan Gosling and Shola Ameobi of Newcastle United.

The three sides relegated from the Premier League this season have already began trimming their squad, in particular Fulham whose releases include Damien Duff, John Arne Riise and Steve Sidwell.