Blackpool release strikers Rhodes and Daniels

Jordan Rhodes (left) and Jake Daniels are two of 12 players being released by Blackpool

Blackpool have released veteran striker Jordan Rhodes and Jake Daniels, the only openly gay professional footballer in English football.

Rhodes, 35, scored 15 goals in 50 league appearances for the League One side and ended the season on loan with third tier rivals Mansfield Town.

Fellow striker Daniels, 20, came out in May 2022 shortly after making his only senior appearance for the club.

The Seasiders are in discussions with defender Matthew Pennington, 30, and midfielder Sonny Carey, 27, about extending their contracts.

Daniels posted on Instagram: "To all the fans who believed in me, supported me through a crazy few years, I want to thank you.

"Thanks to all the staff for supporting me through 13 years of getting me to the point I am at today, and thank you for all my teammates who have been on the journey with me.

"I have people to prove wrong. My career is only just starting."

Defender Jordan Gabriel, 26, and midfielder Oliver Norburn, 32, and Josh Onomah, 28, are also leaving the Lancashire side.

Steve Bruce's side finished ninth in League One, 11 points off the play-off places.