Smallwood departs Millers

ROTHERHAM United midfielder Richie Smallwood has rejected the club's offer of a new deal, meaning he is free to leave.

The 26-year-old former Middlesborough man signed for the Millers initially on-loan and helped Steve Evans' side to promotion from League One through the play-offs.

He signed a permanent three-year-deal that summer and became a regular as the Millers avoided relegation from the Championship twice.

He was then loaned out to League One club Scunthorpe United by former boss Alan Stubbs at the start of last season, before being recalled by Paul Warne and cementing his place in the heart of the Millers' midfield towards the end of the season.

Smallwood played 133 games for the Millers, and his departure now means captain Lee Frecklington is the only remaining squad player from the League One promotion winning team.