LONDON - EVERTON have released Nuno Valente while Segundo Castillo has returned to Red Star Belgrade after a loan spell and Andy van der Meyde's contract is not being renewed, the Premier League club said on Friday.

Former Portugal defender Valente, who played in their Euro 2004 final defeat by Greece, is departing at the end of an injury-hit season in which he made just two appearances.

The 34-year-old played 60 games in four seasons at Goodison Park after joining the Merseyside club from Porto where he won the Champions League in 2004 under Jose Mourinho.

Ecuador midfielder Castillo's season-long loan deal is over with the 27-year-old having made 13 appearances for Everton and scoring once before heading back to his Serbian club.

Van der Meyde has had a turbulent time since arriving in 2005 after 'battling against injuries, personal problems and disciplinary issues and showing only glimpses of his quality', the club said on its website (www.evertonfc.com).

The ex-Netherlands winger, who joined from Inter Milan four years ago, played just 24 games in four seasons. -- REUTERS