Southampton let go of 8 players and one Saints exit is causing a stir | OneFootball

Fans think this player should have repaid some loyalty

Southampton’s summer rebuild has begun in earnest.

The club has confirmed the departure of eight players following a campaign that ended amid controversy and uncertainty.

The Saints’ 25/26 season will be remembered as much for the events off the pitch as on it. Having fought their way into the play offs, Southampton’s hopes of a return to the Premier League were ultimately overshadowed by the ongoing fallout from the so-called ‘Spygate’ affair.

With the club granted extra time to submit its retained list following the delayed conclusion of the campaign, supporters have finally received confirmation of which players will be moving on from St Marys.

A number of familiar faces are set to depart - but one exit in particular has provoked a strong reaction.

Southampton transfer news: Ross Stewart exit sparks debate as Saints rebuild begins

Eight players will be departing this season, including Oriel Romeu, Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo.

Alex McCarthy, Jamie Jones, Charlie Taylor and Elias Jelert have also played their final games for the club.

None of the departures, however, have made such a stir as fellow departee Ross Stewart.

The Scotland international was unable to agree terms on an extension and will leave St Mary’s as a free agent at the end of June, bringing to an end an injury-distrupted three year spell on the South Coast.

Stewart departs having made 50 appearances and scored 12 goals in red and white stripes.

The announcement has caused a stir with the Saints faithful, who would have preferred to see loyalty repaid by the 29 year old forward.

He has been told to ‘look in the mirror’ in response to the club’s announcement on X, with fans upset their loyalty through Stewart’s injuries had not been repaid.

Others have called him ‘Judas’ - and called in to question his injury record before he represents Scotland at the World Cup later this month.

Some, however, were simply sad to see their forward go.

Southampton retained list sheds light on how they’ll move on from Spygate

While Stewart’s departure has understandably dominated the conversation, Southampton’s retained list offers a broader insight into the scale of the task facing the club this summer.

The exits of experienced figures mark the end of an era for a group that has experienced both promotion success and Premier League football at St Mary’s. Meanwhile, the loss of academy graduate Smallbone brings an end to an 18-year association with the club.

Yet amid the turnover, Southampton are also beginning to shape the squad they hope can challenge again next season.

James Bree’s new contract, which ties him to the club until 2029, represents a significant statement of intent. Recalled from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic in January, the defender became an important figure during the club’s 21-match unbeaten run that propelled them into the play-off picture.

Much remains unresolved. The Football Association’s investigation into the events surrounding ‘Spygate’ is ongoing, and the potential consequences for those involved continue to hang over the club.

Chairman Dragan Solak has publicly backed head coach Tonda Eckert, but uncertainty remains over how and when the matter will be concluded.

The departures announced this week are likely to be only the first stage of a transformative summer.