After confirming his retained list, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson moved to secure six of his squad ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, as the Gulls aim to go one better after losing to Hartlepool United in the National League Play-off final.
Johnson has already got skipper Asa Hall, former Exeter City left-back Dean Moxey, experienced Danny Wright, right-back Ben Wynter and young duo Louis Slough and Olaf Koszela tied up on new deals. They join Joe Lewis and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who were already under contract with the Gulls.
He has also agreed terrms with Jake Andrews, but the former Bristol City midfielder is yet to put pen to paper. However, negotiations remain ongoing with Ben Whitfield, Aaron Nemane, Armani Little and Shaun MacDonald.
The news comes after Johnson announced his retained list which sees eight players leave Plainmoor. It's a list that includes popular left-back Liam Davis, who hasn't featured for the Gulls since sustaining an ankle injury against Maidstone United in the FA Cup first round in November 2019. Davis had previously been an ever present for United in their National League South title winning season in the 2018-19 campaign, and was also United's longest serving player - having joined in the summer of 2017.
Billy Waters and Matt Buse, who both featured in United's Play-off final defeat to Hartlepool, also depart. Waters had previously played under Johnson at Cheltenham Town, where he was a National League title winner in the 2015-16 campaign, but couldn't hold down a regular first team spot and was often used as an impact sub. Buse had enjoyed a successful 2019-20 season at Plainmoor, winning the National League player of the month award for October 2019, but hadn't managed to force his way into the first team in the 2020-21 campaign.
Striker Josh Umerah and experienced centre back Gary Warren leave Plainmoor after a year with the club. Neither of the pair featured for United in the National League Play-off final against Hartlepool, or in the semi-final against Notts County.
Former Dundee forward Andrew Nelson leaves without making a competitive first team appearance for the Gulls, after sustaining an injury in pre-season. Rookie first team pros Owen Price and JJ Evans also leave Plainmoor without featuring for the Gulls.
Already under contract: Joe Lewis, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Agreed new deals: Asa Hall, Dean Moxey, Danny Wright, Ben Wynter, Louis Slough, Olaf Koszela
Contracts offered to: Jake Andrews, Ben Whitfield, Aaron Nemane, Armani Little
Talks are ongoing: Shaun MacDonald
Confirmed departures: Lucas Covolan (Port Vale), Kyle Cameron (Notts County)
Released: Liam Davis, Billy Waters, Josh Umerah, Matt Buse, Gary Warren, Andrew Nelson, Owen Price, JJ Evans
