Coventry City Football Club can confirm which players will leave the Sky Blues at the end of the 2023/24 season.
As previously reported, captain Liam Kelly will leave the club after an amazing career with the Sky Blues dating back to 2017, during which he played 180 games and scored three goals. Kelly joined City in the summer of 2017 and was a key member of the team that earned promotion in the 2018 League Two Play-Off Final.
As the Sky Blues advanced to League One, he was named captain for the 2018/19 season. Kelly memorably led the Club to the League One title in the 2019/20 season.
As we established ourselves in the Championship, Kelly remained an important role at the club. He returned to the starting lineup at the end of the 2022/23 season and led the club to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final, narrowly missing out on a spot in the Premier League due to a penalty shoot-out defeat.
Kelly played in both the league and the FA Cup this season, helping the Sky Blues reach the semi-finals.
Liam has been a tremendously beloved and prominent character at the Club for many years, both on and off the pitch. Admired by his teammates, staff, and supporters, he departs with everyone’s best wishes and a long list of accomplishments that will rightfully place him as a Club legend.
Goalkeeper Simon Moore, who signed with the Sky Blues from Sheffield United in 2021, has also been released. He appeared in 46 games for Coventry City across all competitions over the previous three seasons.
Dermi Lusala and Bradley Stretton, both under-21 players, will also leave the club. Dermi appeared on the bench for the first team on several occasions and was a member of the Under-21 squad that reached the Birmingham Senior Cup Final in 2022/23.
Meanwhile, Stretton has played regularly for the Under-18s and subsequently the Under-21s in recent years, and after touring with the first team in Portugal, he scored in a senior pre-season friendly win over MK Dons.
Luis Binks will return to his parent club Bologna after playing the full season with City. He made 23 appearances across all competitions.
Released:
Liam Kelly
Simon Moore
Dermi Lusala
Bradley Stretton
Returning to parent Club:
Luis Binks
A contract offer was previously made to Callum O’Hare, whose current deal with the club expires at the end of June. A fresh contract has been offered to promising goalkeeper Luke Bell. All other players who are currently under contract with the club will remain there.
Mark Robins has said:
“I’d like to thank those who are leaving for their time with us and the contributions they’ve made to Coventry City, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
In particular, Liam Kelly will be rightfully regarded as a Club legend. He has been an immaculate professional both on and off the field, and has played an important role in Coventry City’s recent promotion through the divisions.
I’d also like to thank Simon, Dermi, and Bradley and wish them the best of luck in the future.”
Everyone at Coventry City wishes all of the players who are leaving the club all the best in the future.
