Darius Vassell, Dietmar Hamann, Michael Ball and, big surprise, Danny Mills have all been allowed to leave after their contracts expired this summer.
Vassell was signed by former manager Stuart Pearce in 2005 following the sale of Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea. He scored 22 goals in 124 appearances and formed an effective partnership with Andy Cole. With the arrival of Craig Bellamy in January, Roque Santa Cruz, the expected arrival of Carlos Tevez and the fully fit again Valeri Bojinov, the former England man has found himself surplus to requirements.
Hamann arrived from Liverpool via Bolton in 2005's most unusual transfer story and scored one goal for the club against EB Streymur in last season UEFA Cup. Michael ball was another of Pearce's signings from PSV Eindhoven but found his place under threat with the arrival of Javier Garrido, who himself has lost his position to Wayne Bridge.
Danny 'is he still on our books' Mills joined the blues in 2004 from Leeds and had loan spells at Hull, Charlton and Derby until a knee injury at Pride Park meant he has not played since 2008.