Bradford City release former Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough FC and Doncaster Rovers midfielder but in talks to keep Andy Cook

But the Bantams are in talks to keep their top-scorer Andy Cook, along with fellow first-team regulars Alex Gillead and Liam Ridehalgh.

Harrogate-based Clayton joined from Doncaster Rovers in January after being frozen out by coach Danny Schofield in South Yorkshire.

He was a regular in the side, making 21 appearances despite a hamstring injury during the run-in. He returned to start the crucial final game of the regular season and both legs of the League Two play-off semi-final which Carlisle United won in extra-time.

After the game he told The Yorkshire Post he was hoping to win an extension to his short-term contract but that has not been the case.

Keeping Cook will be a priority, however, as manager Mark Hughes looks to refine rather than rebuild last season's team.

The 32-year-old centre-forward started 2022-23 on the bench and had a spell out of the starting XI around the turn of the year but still managed to score 31 goals in all competitions, the first Bantams striker to 30 goals in a season since Bobby Campbell in 1982-83.

Midfielder Gillead made 42 league starts and despite injury problems, and despite missing five months with a groin problem which required surgery, Ridehlagh made 26.

Injury-hit Abo Eisa will also leave this summer, along with Kian Scales , Oscar Threlkeld and Yann Songo’o, who ended the season out on loan.

The club has exercised an option to extend Colin Doyle’s playing contract by a further year, and he remains as goalkeeping coach.

Offered new terms: Alex Gilliead, Andy Cook, Bobby Pointon, Dylan Youmbi, Harvey Rowe, Heath Richardson and Liam Ridehalgh

Released: Abo Eisa, Adam Clayton, Charlie Wood, Cole Roberts, Jack Wilson, Kian Scales, Oscar Threlkeld , Yann Songo’o

Under contract for 2023-24: Brad Halliday, Ciarán Kelly, Colin Doyle, Emmanuel Osadebe, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Harry Chapman, Harry Lewis, Jake Young, Jamie Walker, Luke Hendrie, Matt Derbyshire, Matty Foulds, Matty Platt, Richie Smallwood, Ryan East, Sam Stubbs, Timi Odusina, Vadaine Oliver.