Following our play-off triumph, sealing an instant return to the Scottish Premiership, we can now provide an update on our first-team playing squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.

As communicated previously, Jamie Brandon has departed the club to join fellow top-flight side Kilmarnock. Signed in the summer of 2022 from Greenock Morton, he established himself firmly in the starting eleven towards the end of the 2023-24 campaign, taking up the holding midfield role and providing a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing campaign. He was appointed club captain ahead of last season, and led the Lions to SPFL Trust Trophy glory in Grangemouth in March, scoring the fifth and final goal from range on the day. He played a huge part in an ultimately successful play-off campaign, scoring the opener in the home leg win over Partick Thistle, before leading the Lions’ rally on an unforgettable night in Dingwall. He leaves as the third captain to lead Livingston to promotion from the second-tier, and the third to lift major silverware.

As noted, Matthew Clarke has also departed the club to return to his native Northern Ireland and sign for Ballymena United. Arriving in West Lothian last summer after eleven seasons with Linfield, Matty made 20 league appearances for the Lions, scoring against Queen’s Park and Airdrieonians. He featured heavily in our run to the SPFL Trust Trophy Final, and made his final appearance in amber and black in the 5-0 win over Queen’s Park.

Moving on at the end of their contract is Stephen Kelly. Signed from Rangers in the final week of the summer window in 2022, he quickly cemented a starting place as Livingston enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, culminating in his first league goal at Tynecastle in December of that year. After a difficult 2023-24, he appeared 44 times for the Lions last term, netting six times, including a thumping double in a 5-0 trouncing of Ayr United in April.

Popular defender Michael Nottingham also departs upon the end of his contract with the club. The centre-half arrived from Accrington Stanley in the summer of 2023, and played a crucial part in last season’s defensive display, with the Lions boasting the second-best record across the SPFL. A towering figure, Michael’s only goal in Livingston colours was certainly a memorable one – his late header against Raith Rovers in injury time last October sealing a thrilling comeback, and sparking scenes at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.

Youngsters Tommy Sharp and Lucas Stenhouse both also move on in search of opportunities elsewhere to progress their own careers.

Macaulay Tait, Robbie Fraser and Meshack Ubochioma all return to Heart of Midlothian, Rangers and Dundee United respectively following completion of their loan spells with the club. A thank you goes to their parent clubs for their co-operation during this time, and allowing us to aid in their ongoing development.

We wish all those moving on a sincere thanks for their efforts at the club, and all the best for the future.

We’re excited to welcome six new faces to West Lothian, ahead of the new campaign. Details on any further movements will be provided to supporters in due course.

Under Contract

•⁠ ⁠Sam Culbert
•⁠ ⁠Shaun Donnellan
•⁠ ⁠Daniel Finlayson
•⁠ ⁠Samson Lawal
•⁠ ⁠Reece McAlear
•⁠ ⁠Cristian Montaño
•⁠ ⁠Robbie Muirhead
•⁠ ⁠Evan Myles
•⁠ ⁠Scott Pittman
•⁠ ⁠Jérôme Prior
•⁠ ⁠Lewis Smith
•⁠ ⁠Liam Sole
•⁠ ⁠Codi Stark
•⁠ ⁠Miles Welch-Hayes
•⁠ ⁠Andrew Winter
•⁠ ⁠Tete Yengi

Agreed New Terms

•⁠ ⁠Jack Hamilton
•⁠ ⁠Andrew Shinnie

Incoming

•⁠ ⁠Shane Blaney
•⁠ ⁠Graham Carey
•⁠ ⁠Cammy Kerr
•⁠ ⁠Stevie May
•⁠ ⁠Connor McLennan
•⁠ ⁠Zak Rudden

In Discussions

•⁠ ⁠Danny Wilson

Departed

•⁠ ⁠Jamie Brandon
•⁠ ⁠Matthew Clarke
•⁠ ⁠Stephen Kelly
•⁠ ⁠Michael Nottingham
•⁠ ⁠Tommy Sharp
•⁠ ⁠Lucas Stenhouse

Returned to Parent Club

•⁠ ⁠Robbie Fraser
•⁠ ⁠Macaulay Tait
•⁠ ⁠Meshack Ubochioma

Share this: