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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Exeter City have confirmed their retained list following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Sky Bet League One season, with eight players set to leave the club this summer.
Defenders Cheick Diabate, Vincent Harper, Ben Purrington and Angus MacDonald will all depart at the end of their contracts, alongside midfielder Shaun MacDonald and academy products Mitch Beardmore, Gabe Billington and Max Edgecombe.
Five players are currently in contract negotiations: Caleb Watts, Jake Richards, Pedro Borges, Harry Lee and Frankie Phillips.
The club has triggered contract extensions for Jay Bird, Josh Magennis and Johnly Yfeko, with Magennis confirming his return after activating a one-year clause.
Five loan players have now returned to their parent clubs: Joel Colwill, Alex Hartridge, Ryan Trevitt, Joe Whitworth and Tony Yogane.
Gary Caldwell said the decisions were not easy but necessary as the club looks to strengthen the squad for the 2025/26 campaign.
“It’s never easy,” Caldwell said. “These players give everything, and they want to try their very best, but sometimes for different reasons it just doesn’t work out.
“We felt it was important to tell them early, so they could enjoy the end-of-season awards and the final few days with their teammates.”
Magennis, who finished as the club’s top scorer with 13 goals and collected three player of the season awards, will return for another year at St James Park.
Jay Bird remains with the club after a strong loan spell at Rochdale, where he scored five goals in eight appearances.
Meanwhile, Yfeko has signed permanently following his loan from Rangers, despite an injury-hit season.
Gary Caldwell also paid tribute to the departing players, including fan favourite Cheick Diabate, who played a key role in City’s promotion back to League One four years ago.
“We always want our own to do well and be successful. We wish Cheick all the best.”
Caldwell confirmed the club plans to build a squad of around 25 for next season, with several new signings expected over the summer.
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