The first news came with the departure of Andre Bikey (previously Amougou, previously Bikey) from Middlesbrough. He signed for the Teesside club in mid-September on a one year deal with the option of a further year.
He's been pretty much a regular in the team too. He's played 37 games for them and, certainly in the early part of the season, received some rave reviews from manager Tony Mowbray.
However, Middlesbrough, although they haven't confirmed it, have opted not to activate the one year option and their local press reported yesterday that he and Nicky Bailey, the former Charlton midfielder, would be leaving the club.
Bikey, who cost the Clarets a fee of around £1.9 million from Reading just after the start of our Premier League season, was released by Eddie Howe last summer having not played any first team football since the FA Cup defeat at Norwich. He had made a total of 78 appearances for us in three seasons.
One day on and there was news of another former central defender to leave a Championship club. Stephen Foster was with Burnley for just over a season. We signed him on a free transfer from Crewe in the summer of 2006 but, having failed to establish himself at Turf Moor, he moved in a £100,000 transfer to Barnsley in August 2007.
In six years at Oakwell he's played just short of 250 times. He captained the side on numerous occasions including their 2008 FA Cup run during which he scored a 3rd round goal at Blackpool and then headed home the winner at Liverpool in the 5th round.
He's made 34 appearances this season, the last of them coming when they were hammered 6-0 at home against Charlton last month and today the now 32-year-old is one of four players released by manager David Flitcroft.
Additionally, Joe McKee, released by Burnley last summer after one year as a full time professional, has been released by Bolton after joining them on a one year deal at the beginning of July.