GOAL of the season winner Adrian Littlejohn is the latest casualty of Bury's cost-cutting exercise after being handed a shock free transfer.

Lutel James is also on his way out, as well as Ryan Souter, Lee Buggie and Warren Peyton.

With Paul Barnes and Dean Barrick already leaving to join Doncaster Rovers, Shakers boss Andy Preece has successfully pruned his squad as he prepares for the new season.

All remaining players are in talks with the club and have had extended contracts offered.

Whether the likes of Nick Daws, Chris Swailes and Paul Reid will accept those offers is another matter.

During a busy day for the club, Preece also revealed he had made his first signing of the close season by snapping up a teenage Turkish defender.

Edward Tarsus, aged 18, has signed on a free transfer and is highly-rated in his country where he has played for the national under 18s side. He has previous experience with Leeds United and is described as a right-sided defender who likes to get forward.

That signing could be a safeguard against Chris Swailes leaving.

Bury have confirmed that Rotherham United have made an official approach for Bury's Players' Player of the Season and, although the defender is yet to decide on his future, it will be hard to resist a move to the Yorkshire side who gained promotion to the First Division.

After so long without any developments in the transfer market, yesterday's whirlwind announcements came as a shock.

Littlejohn and James will be the most upset by the decisions to release them. Littlejohn has scored some useful goals - not to mention the stunning scissor kick to snatch a point against Notts County - and James, signed from non-league Hyde United two years ago, has grafted week in, week out in a bid to become a first team regular.

However, it is hard to argue with the club's choice as both players have failed to make a real impression and - in view of the financial position at the club - the duo must have been privately expecting the worst.