Govou leaves Panathinaikos

ATHENS (AFP) - Financially-troubled Panathinaikos on Friday announced that they were releasing one of their most expensive players, French international winger Sidney Govou.

"Panathinaikos announces that it has come to a mutual agreement with Sidney Govou for a termination of his contract. We thank him for his contribution to the team and wish him every success in his continued career," the club said.

Local media reports suggest Panathinaikos will release two other French players, league leading scorer and captain Djibril Cisse and defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Govou, 32, played in 23 matches for Panathinakos last season and scored three goals.

He joined the club last summer on a three-year contract which reportedly earned him an annula salary of 1.5 million euros.

Govou, who is reportedly heading for French topflight newcomers Evian, however was punished twice for his late-night activities.

The Greek press report that Cisse has been in talks with Italian Serie A side Lazio while Boumsong is negotiating with a club in Germany.

Cisse joined the Athens club in 2009 and has two more years on his reported 2.5 million euros a year contract.

Boumsong came to Panathinaikos last year on a three-year contract with an annual salary of 1.1 million euros.