From correspondents in Madrid, Spain, 10:01 PM IST

Spanish football club Atletico Madrid announced Wednesday that they had cancelled the contract of Greek defender Giorgios Seitaridis, which was due to expire in June 2010.

Seitardidis is the second player to be released by Atletico this month, following in the footsteps of Portugal veteran Maniche.

The same as Maniche, Seitaridis had disciplinary problems with coach Abel Resino, and had been suspended for failing to turn up for a match in April.

Seitaridis, 27, caught the eye when helping Greece to triumph at Euro 2004. Two years later he joined Atletico from Dynamo Moscow.

Atletico are currently fifth in La Liga and keen to return to the Champions League, in which they reached the round of 16 this season.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)