United States international Carlos Bocanegra is keen to stay in the Barclays Premier League after being released by Fulham.

The 29-year-old was one of eight players let go by the London club, who secured their top-flight status on the last day of the season with a victory at Portsmouth.

The defender, who was preparing for his nation's Wembley friendly with England next week, had been a regular pick at Craven Cottage under Chris Coleman and Lawrie Sanchez but had fallen down the pecking order under current boss Roy Hodgson, who arrived in December.

He said: "I got a call about the release earlier today but we had both known it had been coming for a while.

"I love England and had a great four-and-a-half years at Fulham. I would like to stay in the Premier League but I'm focused on the US team right now so I will let my agent handle all that. We have some big games coming up and then we have World Cup qualifiers."

Bocanegra has also been linked with a move to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and Spanish outfit Osasuna, with former boss Coleman also said to be keen to sign him for Championship strugglers Coventry.

Finland striker Jari Litmanen was another casualty of the clear-out with the former Barcelona and Liverpool man, 37, having failed to play even a single minute of first-team football since joining in January.

Also shown the door by Hodgson were Philippe Christanval, Simon Elliott, Ian Pearce, Michael Timlin, Ismael Ehui and Bjorn Runstrom.

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