English giants Chelsea have officially released a South Africa-linked star following the expiration of his contract with the club.
With the Blues having released their 2023/24 retained and released lists, Josh Brooking, who is eligible to represent Bafana Bafana, was confirmed as one of the players who will not be continuing their stay at the club.
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"Josh Brooking will also depart at the end of his contract. Josh joined us during the 2018/19 season from Reading and featured regularly for our Under-18s and Under-21s during his time with the club," the London club said in a statement.
Other players who have been released by the west Londoners include veteran centre-back Thiago Silva and 18-year-old Noah Hay.
It has been claimed that Brooking decided against renewing his contract at the club, with it said he feels his future lies elsewhere.
The 21-year-old, who was born in England to an English mother and a South African father, has thus far only represented England at U16 level.
The defender, who can play across the backline, has been a prominent figure for the London club's U18 and U21 sides in recent years, captaining the club's Premier League 2 team, and was included in the squad registered to compete in the EPL in the 2023/24 campaign. He was subsequently named as an unused substitute in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Fulham in October last year.
Brooking departs Stamford Bridge without making a senior appearance for the side, despite shining at youth level.
Josh Brooking won the game for Chelsea U21 against Manchester City U21 (1-2) with this brilliant solo effort ????pic.twitter.com/nfiK9myLx0
— António Mango (@AntonioMango4) September 22, 2023
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Brooking's agent has previously shared that the player would be eager to play for South Africa, saying in 2022, per Goal: "This is a subject that has been discussed with Josh and his family over the years. Josh is very keen on representing South Africa, but there might be some difficulties with his dad's papers as they have expired, and he hasn't renewed them."
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