The Premier League today revealed the list of players that the 20 Premier League clubs plan on retaining for next season, as well as those that have been released.

More than 150 players have been released from their clubs, but we’ve listed the 47 players below that are important to know. Take note, however. A statement on the Premier League website reminds readers that players “released by a club could remain there next season and so this list should not be seen as definitive for players leaving their club.” For example, it’s quite possible that players could sign new contracts with the club. Or they footballers may want to see what other offers come in before making a decision where to play next season.

But for many of these players, it’s a time for them to move on to pastures new (on a free transfer) — whether it’s in the Premier League or abroad. Or, in some cases — such as Ryan Giggs — the footballers are hanging up their boots and moving into the coaching phase of their careers.

Here’s the select list of 47 players that you need to know that were released by Premier League clubs today:

Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal)
Park Chu Young (Arsenal)

Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa)
Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa)

Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea)
Sam Hutchinson (Chelsea)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Mark Schwarzer (Chelsea)

Marouane Chamakh (Crystal Palace)
Danny Gabbidon (Crystal Palace)
Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace)

Derek Boateng (Fulham)
Mahamadou Diarra (Fulham)
Damien Duff (Fulham)
Johnny Heitinga (Fulham)
Georgios Karagkounis (Fulham)
John Arne Riise (Fulham)
Steve Sidwell (Fulham)

Abdoulaye Faye (Hull City)
Matty Fryatt (Hull City)
Robert Koren (Hull City)

Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Joleon Lescott (Manchester City)
Costel Pantilimon (Manchester City)

Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
Federico Macheda (Manchester United)
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
Dan Gosling (Newcastle United)

Juan Agudelo (Stoke City)
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)

Carlos Cuellar (Sunderland)
Andrea Dossena (Sunderland)
David Vaughan (Sunderland)
Keiren Westwood (Sunderland)

Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham)

Nicolas Anelka (WBA)
Zoltan Gera (WBA)
Diego Lugano (WBA)
Steven Reid (WBA)
Liam Ridgewell (WBA)

Joe Cole (West Ham)
Jack Collison (West Ham)
George McCartney (West Ham)
Jordan Spence (West Ham)