Ruddy and Bassong among casualties as Norwich City begin squad overhaul

John Ruddy (left) and Sébastien Bassong (right) have both been allowed to leave Norwich. Credit: PA

Norwich City have announced that a number of high-profile players, including former England goalkeeper John Ruddy, will be released in the summer.

Defenders Sébastien Bassong, Ryan Bennett, Michael Turner and Steven Whittaker will also be allowed to leave, as will striker Kyle Lafferty.

Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu is another who won't be offered a new deal, but goalkeeper Declan Rudd and young left-back Harry Toffolo have had their contracts extended.

Both players have been on loan this season in League One, at Charlton Athletic and Scunthorpe United respectively.

Declan Rudd (left) and Harry Toffolo (right) have both had productive loan spells away this season. Credit: PA

Norwich City players to be released in the summer:

  • John Ruddy

  • Steven Whittaker

  • Sébastien Bassong

  • Ryan Bennett

  • Michael Turner

  • Kyle Lafferty

  • Youssouf Mulumbu

New Sporting Director Stuart Webber has made it clear that he intends to transform the current squad at the end of the season with the Canaries having failed to mount a promotion push in The Championship.

Ruddy joined Norwich from Everton in 2010 and has gone on to make more than 240 appearances for the club.

His performances in the Premier League earned him a solitary England cap against Italy in 2012, but his form has dipped in recent years.

Ex-Tottenham man Bassong has hardly featured this season after falling out of favour, and Bennett has also been in and out of the starting eleven.

Ryan Bennett will also have to find a new club. Credit: PA

Congolese midfielder Mulumbu has seen his time at Carrow Road hampered by a series of injuries, while former Rangers star Lafferty was consistently overlooked by former boss Alex Neil - despite scoring on a regular basis for Northern Ireland.

Centre-back Turner and right-back Whittaker were given new contracts last summer following the club's relegation from the Premier League, but both have had limited game-time in recent campaigns.