West Ham parts ways with midfielder Morgan Amalfitano

West Ham United has waived French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano by mutual consent, the club announced Tuesday.

Amalfitano departs the club after just over one year at the Boleyn Ground, where he made 32 appearances and scored three goals. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Hammers back in March, but now leaves just seven months later.

West Ham did not cite a reason for the contract termination in its official announcement, but reports of a falling out with manager Slaven Bilic coincided with Amalfitano's orders to train with the club's U-21 team, a disciplinary tactic by the gaffer after the midfielder reportedly missed first-team training and challenged Bilic's authority.

"The news is out that I have disciplined one of my players, Morgan Amalfitano, for a breach of rules," Bilic said at the time. "I would just say that my first and foremost job is to protect the whole team; myself, the staff and players.

"If I see anything or anyone threatening to harm the atmosphere and transgress those rules, then it has to be stopped. They are basic rules and if they are under threat, then I have to step in. I have to protect the team."