Sheffield United confirm departure of 10 players after Premier League relegation including club legend with 394 apps
SHEFFIELD UNITED have announced the departure of 10 first team players following their relegation from the Premier League.
The Blades shared their retained and released list on their official website, detailing with stars who will be leaving the club.
Sheffield United failed to impress on their return to England's top flight, finishing rock bottom of the league table and amassing just 16 points.
And with the club in dire need of a re-think ahead of next season, when they will try to regain promotion, 10 stars have seen their time in South Yorkshire come to an end.
Included in the list of released players was club legend Chris Basham who will call time on his near 10-year spell at Bramall Lane.
Basham has made 394 appearances for Sheffield United since joining the club in 2014 from Blackpool.
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And the 35-year-old will now have to search for a new employer after his release following the expiration of his deal, but may find it difficult after battling through a horrific injury this season.
Basham knew that this would be his final year with United and about his exit earlier this month.
He said: "I'm sad that I'm leaving, but it's probably the right time for the revolution to happen.
"The reception [in the final game] was fantastic, to hear the crowd shout my name like that one last time was very special.
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"You have to give 100 per cent to get 100 per cent back. The fans took to me so naturally. That's when I thought that I could have a future here, maybe four, five years. Not 10!"
Other stars that join Basham on the list of released players include Jordan Amissah, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham, Max Lowe and Ollie Norwood.
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Norwood, 33, is another club hero who has had a long spell at Sheffield United - making over 250 appearances as a Blade.
While Baldock also breached the 200 game mark for the club and keeper Foderingham had taken to the pitch some 112 times.
Adam Davies, John Egan, Oli McBurnie and Ben Osborn were also listed as "Free Transfers" in United's released list with the caveat that the club were in discussions about their future.
Should they all leave as expected then the mass exodus of experience stars will continue at the Yorkshire club.
McBurnie, Egan and Osborn alone have a combined 613 appearances in the red and white of Sheffield United.
Sheffield United's full released list
Free transfer: Jordan Amissah, Chris Basham, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham, Max Lowe, Ollie Norwood.
Free transfer (ongoing discussions): Adam Davies, John Egan, Oli McBurnie, Ben Osborn.
Loan players returning to parent clubs: Mason Holgate, Yasser Larouci, James McAtee, Ben Brereton Diaz.