Everton stalwarts Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert only found out they were being released by the club when friends texted them on Friday.

Despite nearly 28 years service for the club between them, no-one had formally informed the pair they were not to be offered new contracts at Goodison Park.

They discovered they were no longer wanted when friends saw Everton's released list, announced on the club website, and sent messages saying they were sorry to hear the news.

Leon Osman, pictured scoring against Norwich in the Capital One Cup, has been released by Everton

Tony Hibbert came through Everton's academy but has been let go after struggling with injuries

World champion boxer and Everton fan Tony Bellew tweeted saying: 'Money can't buy what these two gave to our club! SadDayHibboOssie.'

Midfielder Steven Pienaar, 34, who has been at the club for eight years over two spells, found out in similar fashion.

Fellow players and club staff have been left shocked at the way their departures have been handled.

Osman and Hibbert, both 35, had been at the club since they were aged nine and 10 respectively and played 741 games between them. Former manager David Moyes even described them as 'part of the brickwork'.

Osman and Hibbert, pictured during an interview with Sportsmail in 2012, will look at other options

Steven Pienaar (left) has also been released, but Darron Gibson (right) has signed a new two-year deal

They recognised that, with their age and the club taking a new direction, a new playing deal may not have been in the offing but team-mates believe they should have at least been notified before the announcement and been given the chance to say goodbye properly to Everton supporters at Goodison Park as was afforded to goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Everton did award a new two year contract to 28-year-old Darron Gibson last week while it is understood, incoming manager Ronald Koeman was expecting to hold discussions over Pienaar's future next week.