The players that Coventry City Football Club can confirm will be departing the Sky Blues when the 2023–2024 season concludes.
As previously stated, captain Liam Kelly will be departing the Club after a stellar tenure with the Sky Blues that lasted from 2017 to the present, during which he appeared in 180 games and scored three goals.
Kelly became a vital member of the City team that earned promotion in the 2018 League Two Play-Off Final after joining in the summer of 2017.
During the 2018–19 season, he was named captain as the Sky Blues made the transition to League One. Kelly would famously guide the Club to the League One championship in the 2019–20 season.
Kelly continued to be a vital member of the Club as we made our mark in the Championship. At the conclusion of the 2022–2023 season, he made a comeback to the starting lineup and guided the team to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final. A penalty shootout loss prevented them from qualifying for the Premier League.
Kelly played in both the league and the cup this season, helping the Sky Blues advance to the FA Cup Semi-Final.
Over a long period of time, Liam has gained a great deal of popularity and influence at the Club—both on and off the field. Admired by teammates, coaches, and fans, he departs with everyone’s best wishes and an impressive resume of accomplishments that will rightfully make him a legend at the club.
Additionally released is goalkeeper Simon Moore, who came to the Sky Blues from Sheffield United in 2021. He has participated in 46 games for Coventry City in all competitions during the past three seasons.
Bradley Stretton and Dermi Lusala, both Under-21 players, are also leaving the Club.
Dermi was a member of the Under-21 team that advanced to the Birmingham Senior Cup Final in 2022–2023 and was frequently used as a substitute for the starting lineup.
Stretton, meantime, has been a mainstay with the Under-18s and later the Under-21s in recent years. He scored in a senior preseason friendly victory over MK Dons following a tour of Portugal with the first team.
Luis Binks, who played the entire season with City, is going back to his parent club, Bologna. Throughout all tournaments, he made 23 appearances.
Released:
- Liam Kelly
- Simon Moore
- Dermi Lusala
- Bradley Stretton
Returning to parent Club:
- Luis Binks
A contract offer has previously been made to Callum O’Hare, whose current agreement with the Club concludes at the end of June.
A new contact has been offered to young goalkeeper Luke Bell.
All other players currently under contract remain at the Club.
Manager Mark Robins has said:
“I would like to thank those who are leaving for their time with us, the contributions that they have made to Coventry City, and wish them all of the best for their future careers.
“In particular, Liam Kelly will be rightly lauded as a Club legend. He has been an impeccable professional on and off the field, and an integral part of Coventry City’s rise through the divisions in recent years.
“I would also like to thank Simon, Dermi and Bradley, and wish them the best of luck for the future.”
Everyone at Coventry City wishes all of the players leaving the Club the very best for the future.
