Cardiff City have told eight academy prospects their contracts will not be renewed, with Cameron Coxe set to be the highest-profile casualty.
WalesOnline can confirm Coxe, who has been widely-regard as one of the more promising players in Cardiff's academy in recent years, is one of a clutch of youngsters who have been told that they are not in the Bluebirds' future plans.
Shamar Moore, Jake Evans and Lawrence Wooton are thought to be other players who will leave, while there are a further four, whose identities are as yet unknown, who are also likely to leave upon completion of their current deals.
Coxe, a Wales under-21 international, has been tipped by many fans and ardent followers of the club's under-23s to go on and have a successful career and that might well be the case.
However, it appears his days at Cardiff City are numbered.
The 21-year-old right back was given two senior outings by Neil Harris in the FA Cup games against Carlisle United, but failed to really grab his opportunity with both hands.
It prompted Harris to say repeatedly that Coxe needs to go out on loan to gain some experience of senior football elsewhere, whether that be League One or Two during the transfer window or in the National League thereafter.
It was telling, too, that on transfer deadline day, Harris recruited young Dion Sanderson, a year Coxe's junior, from Wolves to provide back-up to Jazz Richards following the exit of Lee Peltier.
It will come as a shock to many, especially as it was reported Manchester City were once interested in signing the young Bluebird.
"Unfortunately it's true lads," Coxe's father Neil said on Twitter when responding to the rumours.
"It's a shame but it wasn't to be, hopefully he can kick on somewhere else now."
While reports and rumours on social media claim the players have been released immediately, we can confirm that is in fact not the case and all players will be allowed to run down their contracts.
This does mean, however, the players affected can begin to plan for their futures and other clubs are now free to talk with them and take them on trial.
While Steve Morison took over as Cardiff City's under-23s coach almost a fortnight ago, it is understood this is a decision that was made by the academy management.
