West Ham axe five first-team players in 2024/25 retained list as Michail Antonio announcement made

West Ham United have announced their end-of-season retained list following the 2024/25 campaign.

The Hammers finished 14^th in the Premier League in what proved to be a disappointing campaign, which started under the tutelage of Julen Lopetegui before Graham Potter took over in January.

Star man Jarrod Bowen, who produced 13 goals and eight assists in the league, continued to lead from the front, but West Ham were dealt a huge blow when forward Michail Antonio was involved in a serious road traffic collision in December 2024 and has since been undergoing rehabilitation after surgery on a lower limb fracture.

Antonio, 35, is out of contract at the end of June, and his situation was mentioned in a statement released via the club’s official website on Monday (June 9) as the Hammers confirmed their retained list.

Michail Antonio in action one month before his accident (Credit:Getty)

"As previously announced, four first-team players – Aaron Cresswell, Łukasz Fabiański, Vladimír Coufal and Danny Ings – will formally depart when their respective contracts expire on 30 June," the statement read.

"France international defender Kurt Zouma, who was also part of the Club’s 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League-winning squad, will also formally depart at the end of this month.

"The 30-year-old, who is currently on loan at Al-Orobah FC in the Saudi Pro League, will leave after four years, during which he made 103 appearances, scored six goals and captained the team during the 2023/24 campaign.

"West Ham United would like to acknowledge Kurt’s contribution to our historic European success and thank him for his commitment and hard work in Claret and Blue.

"Given Michail Antonio’s unique situation, following his serious road traffic accident in December 2024, there will be no formal decision and announcement on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate. However, as his current contract is also due to expire on 30 June, for the purposes of the Premier League Retained List procedure at the end of the 2024/25 season, Michail will be listed as a free transfer.

Five first-team players have been released by West Ham (Credit:Getty)

"As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the Club’s absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level.

"Development squad players Kamarai Swyer and Brad Dolaghan will also be departing the Club this summer."

When will Michail Antonio return to playing?

According to the The Times, the 35-year-old has reportedly earmarked playing for Jamaica at the Concacaf Gold Cup as when he could return to the pitch. The tournament will take place from June 14 to July 6 in Canada and the United States, with Jamaica's first game against Guatemala set for Tuesday, 17 June.

“The question is whether the club wants to extend my contract," Antonio told L'Equipe in May. "That’s my priority, but I’m waiting. Until then, all I can do is focus on my recovery so that, wherever I am next year, I can deliver.”