Derby County have terminated the contract of Richard Keogh, just weeks after a car crash that left him out of action for up to 14 months.
Keogh sustained a serious knee injury in the crash that resulted in Derby teammates Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett being convicted of drink driving.
The 33-year-old's current deal, reported to be worth £25,000 a week, was due to run until the summer of 2020 He was reportedly offered a new deal on reduced terms but refused to agree to the pay cut.
The club have now taken action, as reported by Derbyshire Live, with a statement reading: "Derby County Football Club has completed the disciplinary hearing regarding Richard Keogh in respect of his involvement in the events of Tuesday, September 24th.
"As a result of that process, Mr Keogh has had his contract terminated with immediate effect for gross misconduct. He has the right of appeal within 14 days.
"As we have said from the outset, the Club will not tolerate any of its players or staff behaving in a manner which puts themselves, their colleagues, and members of the general public at risk of injury or worse, or which brings the club into disrepute.
"The club will be making no further comment at this time regards this matter, until the conclusion of any potential appeal."
Twice Player of the Year at Derby, Keogh made over 350 appearances after joining from Coventry City in 2012 and had been ever-present this season prior to his injury.
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