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DeMerit to leave Hornets

Image: DeMerit: Loyal servant

Watford confirm they will be releasing six players this summer, including club captain Jay DeMerit.

USA defender heads released list at Vicarage Road

Watford have confirmed that club captain Jay DeMerit will be leaving the club this summer. Watford gave the 30-year-old his break in the professional game in the summer of 2004 and he repaid the club's faith by making himself a lynchpin in the Hornets' defence. DeMerit scored the opener and was man of the match as Watford beat Leeds in the 2006 play-off final to secure promotion to the Premier League. But the club returned to the Championship in 2007 and are unable to offer a new deal to the USA international, who is out of contract this summer. DeMerit, who has made 213 appearances for Watford, is set to find a new club after travelling to South Africa with the USA for this summer's World Cup finals.

Harley and Hoskins also out

Experienced full-back Jon Harley, 30, and striker Will Hoskins are also out of contract this summer and the Hornets confirmed they will not be offered new deals. Hoskins, 24, has seen his career stutter since joining Watford in January 2007 in a £1.2million deal that also saw Lee Williamson arrive at Vicarage Road. Young trio Billy Gibson, Jonathan North and Lewis Young are also set to leave having not been offered extensions to their one-year pro deals.

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