Southampton have released five players ahead of their return to the Premier League next season.
The Saints were promoted back to the top flight at the first time of asking after beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final last month.
And following the season’s end, the club have now revealed which first-team stars will be kept on for the 2024-25 campaign.
The most notable name on the list, which the club gave special mention to, was midfielder Stuart Armstrong.
The 32-year-old will depart St Mary’s at the end of this month after six years on the south coast.
Southampton have released five players ahead of their Premier League return next season
Stuart Armstrong will leave the Saints later this month after six years on the South Coast
After joining from Celtic in 2018, Armstrong made 214 appearances for Southampton and scored 25 goals, including five in the Championship this season.
The club said in a statement: ‘The club would like to thank Stuart for his commitment and effort during his time as a Saint, and we wish him the very best in whatever comes next.’
Armstrong is currently away on international duty with Scotland ahead of their Euros campaign, with Steve Clarke’s men set to face hosts Germany a week on Friday
Jake Vokins, Dynel Simeu, Matt Carson and Luke Pearce have all also been released by Southampton.
Meanwhile, the contracts of Che Adams and Alex McCarthy are set to expire but the club say talks are ‘ongoing regarding potential new deals.’
Adams played a huge role in helping guide Southampton back to the top flight having scored 16 goals in 41 appearances.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper McCarthy, 34, played just five times as he played second choice to Gavin Bazunu – but was called upon in the play-off final.