Edinburgh City facing summer rebuild as up to nine players set to depart

Edinburgh City have announced a player exodus following the culmination of the 2020/21 season, with eight first-teamers leaving and another put on the transfer list.

Conrad Balatoni, left, has been transfer-listed while captain Craig Thomson, veteran midfielder Marc Laird, and goalkeeper Calum Antell will also leave the club

The Citizens were narrowly beaten by Dumbarton in the League One play-off final earlier this month but have already started planning for next season as they look to secure promotion from League Two.

Liam Brown, Callum Crane, Danny Handling, Blair Henderson, Danny Jardine, Robbie McIntyre, and Ouzy See are all under contract for next season while the club is in talks with centre-back Liam Henderson over a new deal and is hopeful of updating fans in the near future.

But long-serving goalkeeper Calum Antell, veteran midfielder Marc Laird, and club captain Craig Thomson are all leaving the club along with ex-Hibs pair Andy Black and Alex Harris; former Hearts goalkeeper Kelby Mason, and City Under-20 graduates Dean Beveridge and Sam Newman.

Jonny Jarron and Cameron Quate, who both spent time in and around the first team, will return to the club’s Under-20 side for next season.

Centre-back Conrad Balatoni has been made available for transfer by mutual agreement while loan sextet Josh Campbell, Sam Denham, Raffaele De Vita, Jamie Dishington, Darren Smith, and Jordan Tapping have all returned to their respective parent clubs.

Striker Allan Smith, goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow, and defender Lee Hamilton are also under contract until the end of the 2020/21 season but were not included in the update.

Manager Gary Naysmith told ECFCTV: “On behalf of everyone associated with Edinburgh City, I would like to thank all of our players that will be leaving us at the end of their contracts for their effort and commitment whilst they have been at the club.

"The majority of these players have been with the club for a significant period of time and have played a big part in getting the club to where it is today.

"I’d also like to place on record my thanks to all the players that joined us on loan at different stages during last season. These players have now returned to their parent clubs and I wish them all well for the future.”

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