Bolton part company with Elmander

Elmander (left) and Cohen (right) have made significant contributions to Bolton

Bolton have confirmed the release of Johan Elmander, Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O’Brien and Tamir Cohen following the expiration of their contracts.

Boss Owen Coyle said they were being let go for “footballing reasons”.

Swedish striker Elmander, who joined in a £10m deal in 2008, is expected to join Turkish club Galatasaray.

Bolton also said Daniel Sturridge will go back to Chelsea after a loan spell, as will Rodrigo – to Benfica – while Ali Al-Habsi will return from Wigan.

“Daniel and Rodrigo have both come into the club on loan deals and done wonderfully well,” said Coyle.

“We like young and exciting players at the football club and the two have shown they have the potential to continue to develop and grow.”

Omani goalkeeper Al-Habsi won Wigan’s player of the year award after helping them avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Elmander, 29, signed for Bolton on a three-year deal from French club Toulouse and scored 18 goals in 82 starts.

Though Coyle stopped short of confirming his departure on Saturday, the Bolton manager revealed he had already started making plans for a potential replacement.

Defender Samuel did not play for the Trotters this season before joining Championship club Cardiff in March on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season.

Israeli midfielder Cohen signed for Bolton in late 2007 having previously played for Maccabi Netanya in his homeland.

Sheffield Wednesday signed midfielder O’Brien on loan for the rest of the season in March.