Saints news desk
Sourced from Daily Echo Saints for Saints supporters.
Southampton have lost former striker Ross Stewart to Championship rivals Swansea City, with the 30-year-old completing his move after leaving Saints as a free agent at the end of last season. The Scotsman departed St Mary’s after failing to agree terms on a new contract, closing the door on a spell that included his most productive campaign in a Saints shirt.
Stewart scored 11 goals last season, his best return during his time on the south coast. Those goals came at key moments, including Southampton’s opener in a 2-1 FA Cup win over Arsenal and the equaliser in the 2-1 Championship play-off semi-final victory over Middlesbrough. His first two seasons at the club were disrupted by injury, but he and Southampton’s medical staff found a management approach that allowed him to contribute consistently when it mattered most.
What Eckert said about Ross Stewart’s future
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert had not ruled out a new deal for Stewart as recently as last month, and his comments to a local outlet suggest the club valued his impact despite his fitness limitations. “I think that Ross has been brilliant,” Eckert said. “The only thing that we needed to sort as physically conditioned to play consecutive games.”
Eckert pointed to Stewart’s efficiency in front of goal as evidence of his value, even without featuring for a full 90 minutes across the campaign. “We figured out a good way to use him, and he hasn’t played a single 90 minutes, for example, but there’s no striker with a better goal ratio than him,” Eckert said. “At the end of the season, he was at his very best.”
Notably, Eckert left the door open to a possible return just weeks ago, saying: “I’m still in touch with Ross. It’s possible [that he could return]. We definitely need a second striker. I think that is very clear.” Those comments now carry added weight, with Stewart having instead opted to join a Championship rival.
Southampton’s striker search continues
Stewart’s move to Swansea leaves Southampton needing to find attacking reinforcements before the transfer window shuts. Eckert has been clear that signing a striker remains the club’s priority this summer, and with Stewart no longer an option, the search for alternatives will intensify. Cyle Larin, who arrived in January, is understood to be in improved physical condition compared to when he joined, but Eckert acknowledged the demands of Championship football will require further depth up front.
“We have Cyle, who is in a better physical condition than when he came in in January, but we also know that the Championship is very demanding,” Eckert said. “There will definitely be a second striker. Let’s see who that will be.” Those words now read as confirmation that Southampton’s recruitment team must move quickly to identify a replacement option, having lost out on retaining Stewart himself.
Stewart’s departure also carries a wider football context. He earned a call-up to Scotland’s World Cup squad following his strong domestic form, although he featured little during the tournament in North America. That international recognition underlined how far his stock had risen after a difficult start to his Southampton career, making his exit as a free agent a notable loss for the club even without a transfer fee involved.
What happens next for Southampton
With the transfer window closing at 11pm on September 1, Southampton have a limited window to identify and complete a deal for a new striker. Eckert’s comments make clear that this is viewed internally as an urgent need rather than a preference, particularly given the physical demands of a Championship campaign layered on top of cup commitments.
Supporters will be watching closely in the coming days for confirmed targets, with the club needing to balance immediate first-team need against long-term planning following Stewart’s exit. Any deal completed before the deadline will shape how Southampton’s attacking options look for the remainder of the season, with Larin currently the senior recognised option in that position.