French defender Patrice Evra has today signed a one-year contract extension at Premier League club Manchester United while Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Samuel Eto’o are among a number of high profile players released by Premier League clubs today.

32 year old Evra was subject to speculations linking him with an Old Trafford exit, following Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, as his previous deal was due to expire in June.

Evra’s new deal comes days after the club confirmed Louis Van Gaal will become manager after the World Cup, with Ryan Giggs as his assistant after the Welsh midfielder announced his retirement.

Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Lampard has been released by Chelsea along with Camerounian striker Samuel Eto’o and English left back Ashley Cole according to a list of retained and released players published today on the Premier League website.

Lampard, who has been named vice-captain for England’s World Cup squad, leaves the London club following a failure to reach an agreement on a new deal, bringing an end to a 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Having began his career at West Ham United under the tutelage of his uncle Harry Redknapp, Lampard joined Chelsea in 2001 and won three league titles, four FA Cup titles, a UEFA Champions League title as well as a UEFA Europa League title.

Lampard is among 10 players released from Chelsea as Samuel Eto’o, Ashley Cole and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer have left the club while strikers Nicklas and Park Chu-Young were among seven players released by rivals Arsenal.

Also released by Premier League clubs today are Nigerian forward Shola Ameobi from Newcastle United, Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh from Crystal Palace and Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon and English defender Joleon Lescott from champions Manchester City.