Southampton FC confirmed on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, that defender Kyle Walker-Peters and goalkeeper Joe Lumley will leave the club as their contracts expire at the end of this month. This marks the end of significant chapters for both players at St Mary's, where they contributed notably over recent years.
Kyle Walker-Peters, 28, has been a mainstay in Southampton's defense since initially joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020 before signing permanently later that year. Over five and a half years, he made an impressive 202 appearances and scored six goals. The full-back's versatility allowed him to excel in various defensive roles, earning him two England caps and a reputation as a reliable, attacking-minded defender.
Walker-Peters played a pivotal role in Southampton's 2023-24 Championship promotion-winning season, featuring in 46 league matches and being named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season. His consistent performances in the Premier League last season included 35 appearances and two assists, highlighting his ability to contribute offensively as well as defensively. BBC Radio Solent's Southampton commentator Adam Blackmore reflected on Walker-Peters' journey, saying, "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." Blackmore also noted the physical challenges Walker-Peters endured, especially during the Championship campaign, where he was subjected to intense marking yet remained crucial to the team's success.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Joe Lumley, aged 30, will also depart Southampton after two seasons, during which he made eight appearances. Lumley joined the Saints in the summer of 2023 from Middlesbrough, where he had spent two years and made 39 appearances. His career has included spells at Queens Park Rangers, Reading, and loan periods at clubs such as Bristol Rovers, Blackpool, and Doncaster Rovers. Lumley made his Premier League debut for Southampton in November 2024 in a match away at Brighton and was the starting goalkeeper for all four FA Cup ties in the 2023-24 season, including the notable fifth-round trip to Anfield.
Following his release from Southampton, Lumley swiftly signed a two-year deal with Championship rivals Bristol City, becoming their second summer signing. The move was announced on the same day as his departure from St Mary's was confirmed. Lumley expressed enthusiasm about joining the Robins, stating, "I've heard amazing things about the club; it has an amazing training ground. It was a no-brainer to sign here. It's exciting for me, hopefully I can get to work straight away and show what I can do." His arrival adds experience and depth to Bristol City's goalkeeping department, as highlighted by technical director Brian Tinnion, who said, "Joe is a goalkeeper with experience in the EFL and Premier League. He adds both strength and depth to the goalkeeping department and we're excited to work with him." Bristol City, who reached the Championship play-off semi-finals for the first time since 2008 last season, will be looking to build on that success with Lumley aiming to help the team "push that step further."
Lumley's career path has been marked by steady progression through English football's tiers. Starting in the Tottenham Hotspur academy, he moved to QPR as a 16-year-old and made 84 appearances for the club after debuting in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest in January 2016. After leaving QPR four years ago, he has yet to surpass his appearance tally there but gained valuable experience at Middlesbrough and Reading before joining Southampton. His time at St Mary's included being part of the promotion-winning side under Russell Martin in 2023-24 and playing three Premier League matches during the 2024-25 season in an eight-day spell between late November and early December 2024.
Southampton also announced the retirement of veteran midfielder Adam Lallana, who decided to end his playing career after limited appearances last season and involvement in the coaching setup towards the campaign's end. Lallana's departure marks the end of an era for the club, with his experience and leadership having been valuable during his tenure.
In addition to Walker-Peters, Lumley, and Lallana, Southampton confirmed that several other professional players will leave the club this summer, including Derrick Abu, Josh Lett, Josh McNamara, and Lewis Payne. The club expressed gratitude to all departing players for their contributions and wished them well for the future.
As Southampton prepares for the upcoming season, the departures of Walker-Peters and Lumley present opportunities for fresh talent to emerge and for the club to reshape its squad following promotion back to the Premier League. Meanwhile, Bristol City fans will be eager to see how Lumley's experience bolsters their goalkeeping options as they aim to build on last season's strong Championship campaign.
With pre-season preparations underway at Bristol City, including friendly matches against MK Dons, Cheltenham Town, and Bournemouth, Joe Lumley will have the chance to quickly integrate into his new team and stake his claim for the starting goalkeeper position. The competition for the number one spot includes Max O'Leary, who has been the clear first choice for the Robins, and young keeper Joe Duncan, who recently signed a new two-year contract to remain at Ashton Gate until 2027.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Kyle Walker-Peters is yet to announce his next club following his Southampton exit. His consistent performances and versatility will surely attract interest from clubs looking for a dependable full-back with Premier League and international experience.
The football world will be watching closely as these developments unfold, with Southampton and Bristol City adjusting their squads ahead of the new season. Both clubs face fresh challenges and opportunities, shaped in part by the departures and arrivals of key players like Walker-Peters and Lumley.
