MIDFIELDER OWEN HARGREAVES has been released by Manchester City after just one season with the club.

The former England international moved to Etihad Stadium in August last year after his contract at rivals Manchester United expired.

Hargreaves, 31, made just one English Premier League appearance for the newly-crowned champions in the whole of the campaign.

Having struggled for fitness throughout the season, the club confirmed on Tuesday the former Bayern Munich midfielder was leaving. Hargreaves has struggled for fitness over the last few seasons, having been an integral part of Manchester United’s Premier League and Champions League winning campaign of 2007/08.

The Canadian-born Hargreaves was forced to visit a knee specialist in the United States in early 2010 in a bid to cure him of persistent tendonitis problems.

Following surgery, Hargreaves made his first Premier League appearance in nearly two years as a late substitute against Sunderland, but further injury problems curtailed his comeback. He played once more for United in a Carling Cup clash against Wolves at Old Trafford in November 2010, but was forced off early with a hamstring complaint.

The midfielder, who has won 42 caps for England, made the switch to City after being released by Alex Ferguson.

Spain sharp-shooter David Villa close to return to action, says Pique