Former Bulgarian international and Brighton midfielder Radostin Kishishev has not received an invitation to renew his contract and will leave the League One championship winning squad, the club announced.

Brighton manager Gus Poyet will not be renewing the contracts of another five players - midfielders Cristian Baz, Agustin Battipiedi and Gary Hart, as well as strikers Chris Holroyd and Fran Sandaza.

"It's a horrible part of football, having to tell players they are no longer part of your plans - but it has to be done," Poyet told the club's website.

"They are all great lads and for me personally I have to ignore what my heart is saying. It's not easy."

"I want to thank every single player for their efforts for the club. I wish them good luck for their future careers – they all have much to offer the game in the future."

Kishishev has been told he will not be offered a new contract during Albion's five days away in Spain on a training break.

British media comment that out of all released Bulgaria's Kishishev was the only one to feature with any regularity for Poyet's League One champions this season.

He staged an impressive performance in the first half of the season before returning to Bulgaria to deal with a family illness and had already hinted at retirement.

It was not immediately clear how the 36-year-old football player will continue his career or whether he will decide to bring the curtain down.

Kishishev is a three-time champion of Bulgaria as part of Litex football club. In England he also played for Charlton Athletic, Leeds and Leicester City.