Gillingham have announced their retained list and those who will be leaving Priestfield after relegation to League 2

Gillingham have released nine players from this season’s squad following the team’s relegation to League 2.

Leading scorer Vadaine Oliver heads the list of those leaving Priestfield this summer, announcing his decision to look for options elsewhere last week.

Out of contract defenders Jack Tucker and Robbie McKenzie have been offered new deals, as have youngsters Bailey Akehurst and Josh Chambers.

If Tucker was to leave for another English club then compensation would be due as he is under the age of 24.

Those not offered new terms and released, along with Oliver, are goalkeeper Aaron Chapman, defenders Ryan Jackson and Christian Maghoma, Mustapha Carayol, Danny Lloyd, and Ben Thompson. Youngsters Harvey Lintott and Gerald Sithole are also leaving.

Seven players remain under contract, although manager Neil Harris has already said he doesn’t want to keep all of them. They are Max Ehmer, Stuart O’Keefe, Olly Lee, Ben Reeves, David Tutonda, Alex MacDonald and Henry Woods.

The Gills statement said: "The Football Club would like to thank all players who are leaving Priestfield for their services, and we wish them well in the future."

Loan players Pontus Dahlbeg (Watford), Charlie Kelman (QPR), Conor Masterson (QPR), Dan Phillips (Watford) and Tom Dickson-Peters (Norwich) return to their parent clubs.