£10M Move, 583 Days of Hope… Then Heartbreak: Ex-Sunderland Star Relegated After Long-Awaited Comeback
Ross Stewart’s long-awaited return to the pitch was meant to mark a turning point. Instead, it coincided with a crushing blow for Southampton, as their relegation to the Championship was confirmed following a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham. For Stewart, who joined the club in a £10 million move from Sunderland while still recovering from injury, the moment was especially bittersweet. His time at St Mary’s has been riddled with setbacks, with just 10 appearances to his name.
After the match, manager Ivan Juric praised the unwavering support of the fans, calling their loyalty “incredible” despite the club’s downfall. “This is great English football culture,” he said. “We must now face the mistakes of the past few years and build something better—because these fans deserve it.”
