Rotherham United: Captain Joe Rafferty in talks to stay, forward Joshua Kayode leaves

The club have confirmed their retained list

Author: Matt SoanesPublished 8th May 2026

Rotherham United have released their retained list at the end of the 2025/26 season, with club captain Joe Raffety in talks to remain at the relegated Millers.

11 first team players have been released, including forward and Academy graduate Joshua Kayode.

Fellow striker Ciaran McGuckin is also departing.

The club says it intends to retain Shaun McWilliams and Dru Yearwood, though exact terms will be confirmed over the summer.

Under Contract:

Joe Rafferty – option activated

Kian Spence

Sam Nombe

Ar’Jany Martha

Ted Cann

Marvin Kaleta

Lenny Agbaire

Denzel Hall

Hamish Douglas

Brandon Cover

Emmanuel Adegboyega

James Clarke

Kane Richardson

Reece Wilson

Released:

Cameron Dawson

Zak Jules

Liam Kelly

Sean Raggett

Reece James

Jordan Hugill

Josh Benson

Duncan Watmore

Joshua Kayode

Ben Hatton

Ciaran McGuckin

Discussions being held with and considerations being made on:

Jack Holmes

Josh Ayres

Joe Powell

Pending decisions on options in contracts:

Dru Yearwood

Shaun McWilliams

Scholars offered professional deals:

Harrison Duncan

Dean Gardner

Cohen Lee

Players returning to parent clubs following loans:

Jamal Baptiste

Harry Gray

Gabe Biancheri

Dan Gore

Lino Sousa

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.