Kilmarnock have announced their retained list upon the completion of the 2023/24 season.
Jack Sanders and Kerr McInroy are the headline names to depart Rugby Park when their contracts expire at the start of June. They will be joined by academy players Steven Warnock and Aaron Quigg as they too head for the exit door.
A number of key players remain in contract negotiations with the club including Liam Polworth and Marley Watkins. Greg Stewart, Gary Mackay-Steven, Innes Cameron and Kieran O'Hara have all been offered new deals too, however, their situations remain unclear at this time.
All loan players will return to their respective parent clubs, with Derek McInnes already on record as saying he'd like to see Will Dennis, Corrie Ndaba and Stuart Findlay return to Ayrshire next season.
Released: Jack Sanders, Kerr McInroy, Aaron Quigg, Steven Warnock.
Loan ended: Will Dennis, Corrie Ndaba, Tom Davies, Stuart Findlay, James Balagizi, Kevin van Veen.
Still in discussions: Liam Polworth, Marley Watkins, Gary Mackay-Steven, Greg Stewart, Innes Cameron, Kieran O'Hara.
Players under contract for 2024/25: Aidan Glavin, Ethan Brown, Ethan Mersey, Ben Brannan, Lewis Mayo, Joe Wright, Robbie Deas, Liam Donnelly, Rory McKenzie, David Watson, Brad Lyons, Kyle Magennis, Danny Armstrong, Fraser Murray, Matty Kennedy, Kian Leslie, Aaron Brown, Kyle Vassell, Bobby Wales.
Currently, there is no indication of when decisions will be made over the players still in discussions with the Scottish Premiership's fourth-placed club.
It's understood all are assessing their options, with Fleetwood Town most notably emerging as an interested party in Polworth.
McInnes said: “It’s that time of the year where you’re trying to free up some space in the squad, on reflection there’s lads that have left that have been here a long time. We wish them well in the future and thank them for everything they’ve done at this club.
“Kerr and Jack were out on loan and managed to get games under their belt and will benefit from that when they go to their next clubs.
“Young Aaron Quigg has done well, but he’s just a victim of not having an out and out reserve league, he went months at a time without playing games, he had a loan at Albion Rovers so now we’re hoping he can go and play regular, settled football.
“Steven Warnock is a sore one for us, it was difficult to do, we tried to get him good loans last season but there wasn’t enough interest which was a surprise to myself and my staff.
“He’s a brilliant boy, he’s been at the club a long time, he’s one that we’ve worked hard to try and find his next step for him, unfortunately for us and him it’s not going to be at Kilmarnock. He is someone that we intend to stay in contact with and continue to help him, hopefully he goes and showcases the talent that he has at his next club.”
Kilmarnock's next competitive game will be the first leg of their Europa League qualifying round two tie on Thursday, July 25.
The draw for this will take place next month on Wednesday, June 19.
A number of teams with serious European pedigree are likely to be involved in that draw, including Dutch giants Ajax.
