Brendan Rodgers said Steve Kabba’s contract was terminated by mutual consent because the striker was not going to play first-team football at Watford.

Kabba has not played for the Hornets in more than a year and spent most of this season on loan at Blackpool and then Oldham.

The 28-year-old’s contract was set to run out this summer but the decision was taken by the club and the player to release him early.

Rodgers said: “When I came in I didn’t get the chance to work with Steve a great deal. He wasn’t in my plans and went out on loan with a view to a permanent move.

“I found him to be a good guy who loves his football and wants to play. At Watford we couldn’t give him that and his contract came to an end, so he is now on the look out for a new club.

“As with all my players, I wish him all the best for the future and hope he gets to a club where he is happy and happy with his football.”

Kabba made 30 appearances for Watford after signing from Sheffield United in January 2007 for £500,000 but only scored one goal.

The Lambeth-born striker was on a good wage at Watford and has known his future would lie elsewhere for some time as the club continues to try and reduce their wage bill.

At the end of last month he spent two weeks training with Crystal Palace, where he started his career, but manager Neil Warnock said he will not be signing Kabba and described the arrangement as “a favour to him from our Sheffield United days”.