Summer transfer window 2026

[blueheaven]

Here's how the squad stands going into the summer window. With 20 players either out of contract or due to go back to their parent clubs, I think it's probably fair to say there will be quite a few changes to come over the summer, regardless of what league we're in next season.

 

Goalkeepers 

1. Toby Steward - 2026 - on loan from Portsmouth

20. Ross Sinclair - 2026

39. Kyle Thomson - 2026(?)

Craig Hepburn - 2027 - on loan at East Kilbride

 

Defenders/wing backs

2. Reghan Tumilty - 2026

3. Cheick Diabate - 2026

5. Bozo Mikulic - 2026

25. Scott Bright - 2026 - on loan at Forfar Athletic

33. Liam Smith - 2026

35. Adam Forrester - 2026 - on co-op loan from Hearts

52. Arran Brookfield - 2026

4. Morgan Boyes - 2027

14. Mattty Foulds - 2027

15. Jack Baird - 2027

 

Midfielders/wingers

7. Jason Holt - 2026

8. Jonathan Svedberg - 2026

11. Sam Stanton - 2026

19. Taylor Steven - 2026 

22. Stevie Mallan - 2026

24. Josh McPake - 2026

27. Alfredo Agyeman - 2026 - on loan from Falkirk

46. Fran Franczak - 2026

51. Murray Binnie - 2026 - on loan at Jeanfield Swifts

23. Sven Sprangler - 2027 - on loan at Newport County

42. Reece McAlear - 2027

 

Forwards

18. Ruari Paton - 2026 - on loan from Port Vale

10. Jamie Gullan - 2027

21. Kai Fotheringham - 2027

9. Josh Fowler - 2028

17. Louis Lloyd - 2028

 

[blueheaven]

Perhaps weirdly, given we've spent all season top of the league, there aren't really any players going out of contract who I'd be overly fussed about losing. I'd offer Holt and Stanton another year, and I'd like to see us stand by Mikulic by perhaps offering him something through to Christmas, but beyond that I don't see many of those guys being kept on. Maybe Diabate and Smith get new deals and we look to bring Paton back, but I wouldn't consider any of them to be must-haves. The rest I'm guessing will be away?

I think it'll be really interesting to see what the signing strategy is for the summer. Last year we were able to go out and sign a lot of the most reliable regular starters from the league we were going into, but if we get promoted we're not going to be able to do that again. Maybe there are a few gems from other Championship clubs who we'll try to take up with us, but from what I've watched this season I don't think there are a lot of those. So do we go back to adding in a few signings from abroad?

 

[Cash]

Tend to agree with the above. I think there are maybe 5-7 players who will do a job next season either as a starter or more of a squad role, beyond that we probably need to recruit quite a few players. I think we will need 2 or 3 players who are a lot fitter and have more natural game intensity to compete next season. Full backs, goalkeeper and an athletic CM would be my priority. Hoping that we do early business like last year and imagine we could skim a few from this league then look down south. Following the strategy of what Falkirk have done might bode well. 

[rik2304]

Weirdly I think there needs to be a huge overhaul in the defence. While the current crew haven't been overly tested, when they have been tested they've been found wanting. I don't think that Boyes,Baird and Foulds should be starting next season.

And a permanent keeper. No loans. 

[Mizfit]

I’d keep Baird. 

[Northern saint]

The other way of looking at this list is we have only ten players for next season.  Six of which Simo does not appear to trust.  

Goalkeeper:  Would Portsmouth add another year on loan at a higher level or utilise Steward there?  

Defence: I'd love another Balodis or two as none of our present central defence have much pace or skill.  Bozo may be an option on a short term deal.  Foulds is the better option than Boyes at left back but not for Simo.  Smith isn't good enough but can he improve? 

Midfield:  Holt is at his level.  Too slow for the Premiership.  Rumour Stanton PCA with Falkirk.  So we need four pace, skill, box to box.  

Attack:  Fowler, Lloyd, Fotheringham under contract but not trusted so who do we need; left, right wingers, striker.  

Or do we blow the lead, stay in the Championship, no VAR, entertaining games (mostly) larger crowds.  No need to spend big on new players. 

My biggest gripe over the season is the extreme lack of game time for our young players against the likes of Forrester.  We may have helped Hearts but we haven't helped ourselves.   

Edited April 13 by Northern saint

[RandomGuy]

1 hour ago, Northern saint said:

My biggest gripe over the season is the extreme lack of game time for our young players against the likes of Forrester.  We may have helped Hearts but we haven't helped ourselves.   

What young players would you have swapped Forrester for?

Ive been disappointed Franczak hasnt played more but theres been rumours for a year now hes desperate to leave to move to Poland and has been almost frozen out as hes not going to be here next season no matter what.

[Northern saint]

I was thinking some of the under 19's may be suitable for the bench.  I don't see their games but it appears there is no way forward into the team for them at the moment.  It was a major selling point to parents that they did gain game time so we have Kerr, McCann and the like come through.  We saw what Callan Hamill did when given a chance.  There are 15 year olds playing in the EPL.  They may have offered more than those Simo doesn't trust. 

Franczak if that was the case, rather than freeze him out, why not just agree a release as I doubt a Polish club needs to pay a development fee.  Opens a space and releases cash being wasted.  

[tucker]

If it's true about Stanton.Thats a big lose he reminds me of Martin Hardie just gets stuck in when needed but has a touch of class as  well.

To be honest I'd be getting ride of almost all the out of contract players expect diabate,Stevens, Smith, Holt,bozo and bright 

I'd be hoping to keep Paton and Stewart on loan 

But forthingham hasn't done enough at championship level so he'd be one I'd be moving on

Biggest disappointment has to be Stevie mallan I thought he was going to be an outstanding player for us but probably injuries he's had he's struggling to get back to his best

 

[R.B.B:- Adz]

A good starting point for the transfer window opening would be:

 

Goalkeepers 

1. Toby Steward  on loan from Portsmouth

 

Defenders/wing backs

3. Cheick Diabate 

5. Bozo Mikulic 

4. Morgan Boyes

15. Jack Baird 

 

Midfielders/wingers

7. Jason Holt

11. Sam Stanton 

19. Taylor Steven 

42. Reece McAlear 

 

Forwards

18. Ruari Paton

10. Jamie Gullan 

9. Josh Fowler 

17. Louis Lloyd 

[sixties saintee]

Sven back and in midfield

[Cagey]

6 hours ago, blueheaven said:

Perhaps weirdly, given we've spent all season top of the league, there aren't really any players going out of contract who I'd be overly fussed about losing. I'd offer Holt and Stanton another year, and I'd like to see us stand by Mikulic by perhaps offering him something through to Christmas, but beyond that I don't see many of those guys being kept on. Maybe Diabate and Smith get new deals and we look to bring Paton back, but I wouldn't consider any of them to be must-haves. The rest I'm guessing will be away?

I think it'll be really interesting to see what the signing strategy is for the summer. Last year we were able to go out and sign a lot of the most reliable regular starters from the league we were going into, but if we get promoted we're not going to be able to do that again. Maybe there are a few gems from other Championship clubs who we'll try to take up with us, but from what I've watched this season I don't think there are a lot of those. So do we go back to adding in a few signings from abroad?

 

My thoughts exactly. There aren't many if any in the Championship that I would sign.

If you look at the Premiership there are a lot of foreigners but that hasn't worked all that well for Saints .

[RandomGuy]

3 hours ago, Northern saint said:

I was thinking some of the under 19's may be suitable for the bench.  I don't see their games but it appears there is no way forward into the team for them at the moment.  It was a major selling point to parents that they did gain game time so we have Kerr, McCann and the like come through.  We saw what Callan Hamill did when given a chance.  There are 15 year olds playing in the EPL.  They may have offered more than those Simo doesn't trust. 

I mean youre saying this when less than a week ago Valakari was publicly praising an 18yo youth player from Crieff (Jack Robertson) and how he'd promoted him to train with the first team, and then had him on the pitch for the warm up before the game on Saturday. I'd be surprised if he doesnt play some part once we have the title wrapped up. I dont think its particularly unfair hes not getting game time ahead of McAlear/Holt/Stanton.

Child protection rules in Scotland prevent anyone under 16 playing up here, Valakari claimed thats why it took so long for Hamill to get game time last season, as they had to wait for him to turn 16.

[Linky]

Think Franczak is one we’ll look back on and wonder why we let him go

[Stumpy1949]

25 minutes ago, Linky said:

Think Franczak is one we’ll look back on and wonder why we let him go

You can’t keep someone who wants to go. 

[garydavidson]

Is his brother still involved with Saints too?

[PSJ.84]

10 hours ago, garydavidson said:

Is his brother still involved with Saints too?

Left last summer. At Strathspey Thistle now. 

[garydavidson]

"St Johnstone will not have talks with 29-year-old centre-half Bozo Mikulic, who is out for the rest of the season through injury and is out of contract this summer, until they know if promotion to the Scottish Premiership is secured."

[Melbourne Saint]

2 hours ago, garydavidson said:

"St Johnstone will not have talks with 29-year-old centre-half Bozo Mikulic, who is out for the rest of the season through injury and is out of contract this summer, until they know if promotion to the Scottish Premiership is secured."

Reading between the lines, Bozo is most likely on a very decent wage, and if we don't go up, we wouldn't be keen on matching that given his injury issues.

[Melbourne Saint]

The Toby Steward situation is an interesting one. I don't know what Pompey's goalkeeper options are, but I'd assume he'd be around 3rd choice? If that's true Pompey would likely be fairly happy for another loan, especially if we get promoted and a step up for him -win/win for both. A season getting splinters on his ass does no favours. We can't afford to buy him, and Pompey may see benefits in potential future value if he gets more attention in the SPFL. That's if we make it. I reckon another season loan. He's settled here, Pompey have no reason to change his development curve and a different loan to an English club may be risky.

[Mizfit]

27 minutes ago, Melbourne Saint said:

The Toby Steward situation is an interesting one. I don't know what Pompey's goalkeeper options are, but I'd assume he'd be around 3rd choice? If that's true Pompey would likely be fairly happy for another loan, especially if we get promoted and a step up for him -win/win for both. A season getting splinters on his ass does no favours. We can't afford to buy him, and Pompey may see benefits in potential future value if he gets more attention in the SPFL. That's if we make it. I reckon another season loan. He's settled here, Pompey have no reason to change his development curve and a different loan to an English club may be risky.

I’d rather we get our own keeper in on a permanent if I’m honest. Although, with Pompey all but staying up now I’d imagine any chance of him starting will be gone. 

[Melbourne Saint]

1 hour ago, Mizfit said:

I’d rather we get our own keeper in on a permanent if I’m honest. Although, with Pompey all but staying up now I’d imagine any chance of him starting will be gone. 

So would I, but we have to be realistic. We can't afford to sign him. I'm sure Simo is looking at Plan B for a goalie. But we need 7 signings if we go up...

[R.B.B:- Adz]

2 hours ago, Mizfit said:

I’d rather we get our own keeper in on a permanent if I’m honest. Although, with Pompey all but staying up now I’d imagine any chance of him starting will be gone. 

Currently, we couldn’t afford to bring in a goalie of Toby’s quality so if he was available for loan while we find one we can afford, I’d snap Portsmouth’s hand off for him to continue here for another season.

[rik2304]

I like Steward a lot but his distribution gives me the fear.

[Stumpy1949]

8 hours ago, rik2304 said:

I like Steward a lot but his distribution gives me the fear.

Out of interest did you see the Man City, Celtic, St Mirren or Raith goalies at the weekend?