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Ebbsfleet have released former Premier League forward Jordon Ibe after just four minutes of league action this season.
The 28-year-old is among eight players released at the end of the National League season.
But Ebbsfleet fans will be delighted that the club has confirmed that strike duo Rakish Bingham and Dominic Poleon have another year on their contracts at Stonebridge Road.
Former Liverpool man Ibe, who was sold to Bournemouth for £15million in 2016, joined the Fleet in October 2023. But he was never able to establish himself as a regular in the first team.
Ibe featured in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round defeat at Slough but was substituted at half-time. He also played in the FA Trophy exit to Bishop’s Stortford but played just four minutes of National League action - his only outing coming as an 86th-minute substitute against Oldham in new manager Danny Searle’s first game in charge.
Player/coach Chris Solly has concentrated mainly on his coaching duties since Searle joined in February but he was an integral part of the side that won the National League South title in 2022/23. He’s one of the eight whose playing deals are not being renewed but the Fleet do not reference whether he will remain part of the coaching set-up going forward.
The Fleet have also released former Gillingham defender Joe Martin, forwards David Amoo and Shaq Coulthirst plus Omari Sterling-James. Hayden White and Matthias Fanimo both depart after just one year at Ebbsfleet.
On the players leaving Ebbsfleet, a club statement said: “It goes without saying how grateful we are for their contributions this season – and for those who were with us during 2022/23, the incredible service they gave that contributed to the immense feat of being crowned National League South champions and returning us to the National League.”
Alongside Bingham and Poleon, young striker Nathan Odokonyero - who ended the season on loan at Tonbridge - has a deal for next season after joining from Bognor last summer. Also staying at the club are Franklin Domi, midfielder Toby Edser and popular defender Luke O’Neill.
The club have confirmed they are in talks with 12 members of the squad, including all three goalkeepers - Mark Cousins, Harrison Firth and Chris Haigh, who was on a season-long loan with Oxford City.
The Fleet are also in talks with Ben Chapman, Ouss Cisse, Billy Clifford, Greg Cundle, Myles Kenlock, Darren McQueen, Dominic Samuel, Craig Tanner and Josh Wright.