Marcus Bettinelli ends 15-year association with Fulham

Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has been released by Fulham, ending a 15-year stay with the west London club.

The Whites have confirmed that the 29-year-old, born in Camberwell, is a free agent after his contract expired at the start of July.

Bettinelli spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough with Marek Rodak expected to be first choice again next season.

Bettinelli, pictured below, played 120 matches for Fulham, including the Championship play-off final win over Aston Villa in 2018.

“To have worn the number one shirt is a massive thing for me,” he said. “I feel extremely proud and extremely fortunate to have done that. My time at Fulham was mad special.

“If you had said to a 14-year-old me that I would one day play at Wembley in front of the ‘white wall’ [the club’s fans all wore that colour to the match], I never would have believed you.

“So to have done that and then gone on to play in the Premier League at Craven Cottage was something so special and something that I’ll hold forever in my heart.”

Fulham U23 duo Connor McAvoy and Taye Ashby-Hammond have signed new contracts.

Centre-back McAvoy, 19, has committed to another two years while goalkeeper Ashby-Hammond, 22, who played 33 games last season for National League Maidenhead United, has agreed a one-year deal. There is also a 12-month option in both.