Ex-Sunderland play-off hero Ross Stewart in contract row after Southampton play-off chaos | OneFootball

Ross Stewart is reportedly in a contract dispute with Southampton over a 12-month extension, leaving the former Sunderland striker’s future unclear after the club’s season ended in controversial circumstances.

The Scotland forward moved to St Mary’s in August 2023 and, after injuries, was due to be out of contract this summer. The club sought to trigger an extra year, but a report says their play-off expulsion complicated the deadline.

“We had to initiate the option up to five days after the last game of the season, and we were out of the five days when our final got cancelled. When we knew there was no last game, we immediately sent the notice of the extension, but his lawyers say that they’re disagreeing with us.”

He told the Southampton Echo.

Stewart had been one game from a Premier League return before Southampton were removed from the play-off final picture, with Middlesbrough replacing them and then losing to Hull City at Wembley. He finished with 11 goals and three assists, including one in April’s FA Cup win over Arsenal.

The 29-year-old is fondly remembered on Wearside after scoring in Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Wycombe in the 2022 League One play-off final, a key step in their promotion.

Southampton want to keep him, but the legal wrangle over the extension means his next move remains uncertain and could be one to watch as the window develops into June, July and August.

Source: Sunderland Echo