Noel Hunt, Ian Harte, Nicky Shorey, Simon Church and Jay Tabb are leaving Reading after the club confirmed their contracts will not be renewed this summer.
Hunt, Harte, Church and Tabb were in the Reading squad that earned a return to the Premier League in 2012 but they could do nothing to keep them in the top-flight for more than one season.
Wales international Church failed to make an appearance last season and spent time on loan with Huddersfield, while Tabb had a loan spell with Ipswich, with Harte playing 12 times and Hunt 23 in the Premier League.
Left-back Shorey only rejoined the Royals last summer and went on to make 15 appearances, but he is deemed surplus to requirements as well.
"Every one of the players leaving this summer has played in a part in the club's recent success and on behalf of the club I would like to wish them all well for the future," said director of football Nick Hammond.
"Both on and off the pitch they have shown great professionalism, set excellent examples to our young players and contributed massively to the team. Now both they and the club move to the next stage of their futures and the players will be welcome back at Madejski Stadium any time."
Hammond confirmed that talks have taken place with defender Alex Pearce over a new deal, but nothing has yet been agreed and he is hopeful that further discussions will take place soon.
He added: "We have been speaking to him with regards to his contract throughout the season. Unfortunately, up until this point we have not managed to find a deal which is mutually acceptable to both parties.
"I am keen however, now the season has finished, to have a further conversation with Alex and his representatives to understand his thoughts and give him the club's final position."
Six players - goalkeepers Stuart Taylor and Jonathan Henly, midfielder Lawson D'Ath and young defenders Nick Arnold, Shane Griffin and Matt Partridge - are in talks over new contracts at the Madejski
Out-of-contract defender Joseph Mills is leaving for Burnley under the terms of the loan deal that saw him spend last season at Turf Moor.
And youngsters Charlie Losasso, Angus MacDonald, Josh Webb and Brett Williams, who spent loan deals with lower league and non-league clubs last season, have been released.
