Patrick Kisnorbo is released by Leicester City
Patrick Kisnorbo is the big-name casualty among the five senior players released by Leicester City today.
The out-of-contract Australia international ends a four-year spell at the Walkers Stadium, which culminated in a player- of-the-year award in 2007.
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Patrick Kisnorbo
Also leaving are fellow Aussie Paul Henderson along with veterans Barry Hayles, Bruno N'Gotty and Marc Edworthy.
But it is 28-year-old Kisnorbo's departure which will reverberate most among members of the Blue Army.
Signed in July 2005, the former skipper failed to convince in midfield.
But he switched to centre-back and missed only six Championship games of the 2006-07 campaign.
But, as City were relegated to League One in 2008, Kisnorbo was ruled out for five months with cruciate damage to his left knee before returning only to damage his right knee.
He did indicate back in March that he would like to see out the rest of his career – but now he is weighing up his options.
Last week, Kisnorbo was linked with a move to Crystal Palace and, in the past, has attracted attention from Birmingham and Ipswich.
Henderson is the other surprise inclusion on City's retained list.
The 33-year-old keeper started the League One campaign but soon lost his place to on-loan Liverpool man David Martin.
He then competed with Martin for the jersey before suffering a groin injury in the 2-1 victory at Scunthorpe on November 22 and missed the rest of the campaign.
The other senior players also released – Hayles, N'Gotty and Edworthy – are all on the wrong side of 35 with striker Hayles linked last week with a switch to League One Walsall.
Hayles, now 37, has been restricted to 10 starts and two goals and had two spells on loan at Cheltenham with ex-City boss Martin Allen.
Former Birmingham defender N'Gotty, also 37, made 34 starts for City before being loaned out to Hereford where he suffered a career-threatening Achilles injury.
Full-back Edworthy, 36, was brought in last November and made eight starts.
22 Comments
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by John, Sussex
Friday, May 29 2009, 2:46PM
“Is this the full "retained" list or are some of the younger palyers leaving also? Does anyone know?”
by martin bishop, leicester
Friday, May 29 2009, 2:07PM
“Rumours: Gibson + Cleverly to spend the season with us..mind you the same 'source' had Hans Christian Anderson taking over at City as Communications Guru!!
Hilarious”
by Nick, South Wigston
Friday, May 29 2009, 1:41PM
“I don't understand why the article says Kisnorbo's departure will "reverberate" amongst the fans.
Or why it is presented as a surprise. Most of us could tell from the way he was playing this season that he didn't feel part of the future at City.
All the players mentioned have done their bit for City in difficult times - and Kisnorbo most of all - but none of them will be missed as the club moves forward.
Time to say "thank you and goodbye".”
by Bob, Leicester
Friday, May 29 2009, 1:33PM
“HAHAHA, sohofox, soz optomistic, paddy needed to go, he was from a losing team 2 years ago and proved that whenever he played last season”
by Truefox, Leicester
Friday, May 29 2009, 1:30PM
“I feel the the comments from sohofox are either a wind up or they don't really know alot about football.
From the squad that got us relegated Kisnorbo was the best of a bad bunch. We grew to love these players as they were the only ones we had to love!
Kisnorbo was in fact an average centre back at best. His pace, positioning and distribution were terrible. It was often his ability to pull off a last ditch tackle that got him out of trouble and sometimes into to trouble when mis timed.
With the centre backs we now have at the club, Hobbs and Tunchev in particular, Kisnorbo would have been nothing more than a squad players anyway. We now have a great up and coming talent in Hobbs and he will only get better. And Tunchev is Mr Cool as far as I'm concerned and we haven't had a defender of his quality since Elliot.
Kisnorbo didn't seem interested in the end and now is the right time to move on. I f it were not for injury I think he may have gone in January for a fee though.
A move like this shows that the club are no longer prepared to take what they can get and we are moving forward.”