Wotherspoon Set For St. Johnstone Departure

Canadian international and St. Johnstone icon David Wotherspoon will, for the first time in ten years, be a free agent.

The 33-year-old hasn’t been offered a new contract at the Scottish Premiership side he’s called home since 2013, ending his time The Saints after 355 appearances, 26 goals, 59 assists, and three cup wins.

“David is a St. Johnstone legend and I have total respect for him as a professional footballer and as a person,” said head coach Steven MacLean. “He’s played a huge role in all of our successes in the past decade.”

“I’ve had a chat with him to explain the reasons behind my decision. I feel I have made the right choice for the football club as we move forward.”

Wotherspoon, who has made eleven appearances for Canada since the from Scotland youth product declared for them in 2018, was part of the history-making squad that travelled to the World Cup in Qatar. His last international appearance came off the bench in the fabled competition against Morocco.

He initially arrived to hometown club St. Johnstown from Hibernian on a two-year deal back in 2013, scoring on his debut and helping them to a Scottish Cup the following year.

Numerous contract extensions followed, with Wotherspoon – or ‘Spoony’ as he’s called by fans – playing an integral role in St. Johnstone’s historic cup double in 2021.

His penultimate campaign was cut short with an ACL injury that sidelined him for eight months, with his his last season for The Saints seeming him return to make 19 appearances as the club staved off a relegation battle before announcing no less than 14 player departures.

Given his time with the club and what it achieved during his stay, it’s no surprise that St. Johnstone will be giving him a testimonial match sendoff despite not offering him a new deal at McDiarmid Park.

He isn’t likely to be the only Canadian on the move, with St. Johnstone also confirming that Theo Bair has been put on the transfer list.