English Championship club Millwall have confirmed they will release Caltex Socceroos legend Tim Cahill after his four-month return to his first professional club.

In a statement on their club website, Millwall confirmed their retained list for the 2018/19 season, with Cahill set to depart the club once his contract expires at the end of May.

Cahill, who has been included in Bert van Marwijk’s extended 26-man FIFA World Cup squad, re-signed with the Lions at the end of January to ensure he could play and train in a top level environment before heading to Russia.

He played a total of 63 minutes over 10 substitute appearances but was praised for his role off the field in helping the club with their upturn of form.

The 38-year-old is gunning for a goal at a fourth straight FIFA World Cup – a record that would put him alongside Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler – having previously scored in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

After departing Hyundai A-League club Melbourne City in December, Cahill linked up again with former teammate Neil Harris, with the two playing together from 1998 to 2004 at Millwall.

Cahill will now join up with his Caltex Socceroos teammates in Turkey on 20 May in a pre-World Cup training camp.

Van Marwijk will confirm his final 23-man FIFA World Cup squad on 3 June before Australia face France in their opening game on 16 June.