Walker-Peters and Lumley to leave Saints
Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters and goalkeeper Joe Lumley will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the month. Walker-Peters, who has two England caps, made 202 appearances for the Saints and scored six goals during his time at St Mary's. After initially joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, he signed a permanent contract in 2020.He played 46 league games in 2023-24 as Saints were promoted to the Premier League, and 35 last season, providing two top-flight assists.Keeper Lumley arrived from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023 and made eight appearances for Saints, with two clean sheets. He started all four of Southampton's FA Cup ties in 2023-24 and made his Premier League debut away at Brighton last term.The 30-year-old has also previously played for Queens Park Rangers and Reading. Saints announced earlier on Wednesday that Adam Lallana has decided to call time on his playing career and announced his retirement. Last season he only played five time as his side were relegated to the Championship, towards the back end of the campaign he was heavily involved in the coaching set-up at the club.
Walker-Peters 'grew as a person and player at Saints' - analysis
by BBC Radio Solent's Southampton commentator Adam Blackmore:When Kyle initially arrived at Saints on loan in 2020, he was a shy young man who needed more first-team football to gain experience, with his opportunities at Spurs limited.By the summer he'd impressed Ralph Hasenhuttl enough to become a full-time Saint, and I can't think of many players in the ensuing five years who've performed as consistently as Kyle at a high level, or who have given better service than him.I've seen him grow as a person and a player during his time at the club, he's won an England cap, and he's become a gifted versatile full-back who can operate on either side of the defence, and loves nothing more than to drive forward into dangerous areas.But more than anything I think of how well he's carried himself through all the trials and tribulations he's witnessed and been part of at Saints, he's been a credit to himself and the club.And I've never seen a player get kicked as much as Walker-Peters in the Championship two seasons ago as he played a crucial role in Saints' promotion.
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