Town have announced that Matt Richards has become the eighth out of contract player to be released this summer. The full-back or midfielder has spent much of the last two years on loan at Brighton.

The 24-year-old's exit was widely expected, although his recall to the Town first team for Roy Keane's opening game as boss at Cardiff led to late speculation that the former academy product might be kept on.

In 2002, as a 17-year-old, Richards became the youngest Town player to take part in a European tie when he made his debut in the 1-0 UEFA Cup preliminary round tie against Avenir Beggen in Luxembourg.

The Harlow-born defender made 133 starts and 35 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring nine goals.

Dan Harding and Liam Trotter are the final two out of contract players still to have their futures settled. The duo have been on loan at Reading and Scunthorpe respectively and are expected to speak with new manager Roy Keane in the next week.

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