Exeter City Football Club's skipper Pierce Sweeney has left the club after 10 years. The 31-year-old Irish defender was offered a new deal this summer but has turned it down to pursue a new opportunity.

What happened?

Sweeney initially joined the Grecians from Reading in July 2016 and made 435 appearances in all competitions.

He told the club website: "I've had a lot of decisions to make from a personal and professional point of view and the club have given me everything they could."

Why it matters for Exeter City Football Club

Sweeney briefly left the club in the summer of 2021 to sign for Swindon but returned just a month later without playing a competitive game for the Robins.

As of the end of the 2025-2026 season, Exeter City Football Club stands 21st in League One, with 49 points from 46 games, having scored 52 goals and conceded 61. | Category | Stat | | --- | --- | | League standing | 21st | | Points | 49 | | Goals scored | 52 | | Goals conceded | 61 | | Recent form | LDDDW |

What comes next?

The affable defender will be missed by many at St James Park, having helped the club have arguably the most successful spell in their history - gaining promotion to League One in 2023 after some play-off final defeats.

Sweeney was admired as much for his work and personality off the field as on it, and his departure marks the end of an era for Exeter City Football Club. The club is currently 54 points behind leaders Lincoln in the title race.

Exeter City Football Club will need to find a new skipper to lead the team in the upcoming season, as they look to improve their league standing and make a push for promotion.