Czech Bejbl starts Atletico exodus

Atletico Madrid are to release Czech international Radek Bejbl from his contract after the club's relegation.

Bejbl is part of the Euro 2000 squad for the Czechs next month and may have found a new club by the start of the finals on June 10th/. His contract with Atletico runs out in 2003 and has joined up with the Czech squad rather than train for Atletico's last game of the season - the Spanish Cup final against Barcelona side Espanyol.

The 27 year old midfielder is a former Slavia Prague player and told 'Marca' that he wants top quit the club rather than lose wages in the Spanish second division.

Atletico have three clubs - Chelsea, SS Lazio and Valencia - all bidding to sign their top goal scorer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for next season. Atletico want at least £16 million for the Dutch international and an auction could start after the cup final. Hasselbaink spent two successful years in the Premiership with Leeds United and hit 24 goals for Atletico this season but relegation means he is likely to be sold off along with other top stars.