Former Crystal Palace winger released by Premier League rival

Former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has been released by Everton.

The Toffees have confirmed their retained list this afternoon and the ex-England international will be a free agent from July 1.

Townsend, 31, signed a two-year contract with the Toffees in the summer of 2021. At the time he described working again with Rafa Benitez, who he played under at Newcastle United, as a key factor.

The former Tottenham attacker did not make a single Premier League appearance in the 2022-23 campaign. He had been sidelined for 13 months with an ACL injury before returning to reserve action towards the end of the season.

Townsend scored 16 goals in 185 matches for the Eagles – comfortably the most productive and consistent playing spell of his career.