Defenders Jeremy Pied, Florin Gardos to leave Southampton

Southampton have confirmed that defenders Jeremy Pied and Florin Gardos will leave the club at the end of their contracts.

Frenchman Pied joined the Saints from Nice in August 2016, but made only eight appearances after being hampered by a long-term knee injury.

Romania centre-back Gardos, meanwhile, ends his four-year tenure at St Mary's following a loan spell back in his homeland at CS U Craiova last term.

The Saints have also released a number of youth players including Ollie Cook, Armani Little, Will Wood, Ben Cull, Oliver Gardner, Javen Siu, Richard Bakary and Olufela Olomola.

"Southampton Football Club would like to thank each and every one of the players for all their hard work and commitment during their time with the club, and we wish them all the very best for the future," the club said in a statement.

The south coast club confirmed last week that manager Mark Hughes had agreed a new three-year deal to stay at St Mary's and build on last season's successful Premier League survival battle.