The 2025–26 season was the 101st season in the history of Rotherham United Football Club and their second consecutive season in League One. In addition to the domestic league, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
Managerial changes On 18 March 2026, the club parted company with manager Matt Hamshaw after just under a year in charge and a 30.2% win rate. He was replaced by Lee Clark on a deal until the end of the season.
Transfers and contracts In DatePos.PlayerFromFeeRef. 1 July 2025 GK Ted Cann West Bromwich Albion Free 1 July 2025 CM Kian Spence Barrow 15 July 2025 CB Lenny Agbaire Celtic Undisclosed 19 July 2025 CM Dru Yearwood Nashville Free 21 July 2025 CM Josh Benson Barnsley 22 July 2025 RB Marvin Kaleta Wolverhampton Wanderers Undisclosed 25 July 2025 RB Denzel Hall Heerenveen 30 July 2025 LB Ar'jany Martha Beerschot 23 January 2026 CB Emmanuel Adegboyega Norwich City 2 February 2026 CDM Brandon Cover Leicester City RW Duncan Watmore Millwall Free
Out DatePos.PlayerToFeeRef.
Loaned in DatePos.PlayerFromDate untilRef. 17 July 2025 CM Dan Gore Manchester United 31 May 2026 1 August 2025 CF Kion Etete Cardiff City 15 January 2026 18 August 2025 CF Martin Sherif Everton 31 December 2025 29 August 2025 CB Jamal Baptiste Sheffield United 31 May 2026 1 September 2025 CB Tom Holmes Luton Town 12 January 2026 14 January 2026 CF Harry Gray Leeds United 31 May 2026 2 February 2026 CF Gabriele Biancheri Manchester United LB Lino Sousa Aston Villa
Loaned out DatePos.PlayerToDate untilRef. 20 August 2025 CF Josh Ayres Cleethorpes Town 17 September 2025 3 September 2025 CM Kane Richardson Brighouse Town 1 November 2025 5 September 2025 CAM James Clarke 4 October 2025 30 September 2025 CF Josh Ayres Gainsborough Trinity 28 October 2025 4 October 2025 CF Ciaran McGuckin Eastleigh 1 November 2025 31 December 2025 CF Reece Wilson Brighouse Town 5 March 2026 22 January 2026 CF Josh Ayres Alfreton Town 18 March 2026 2 February 2026 CB Sean Raggett Cambridge United 31 May 2026 7 February 2026 CAM Ben Hatton North Ferriby 30 April 2026 3 March 2026 LM Kane Richardson Brighouse Town 31 May 2026
Released / Out of Contract DatePos.PlayerSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.30 June 2025 CB Cameron Humphreys Port Vale 1 July 2025 GK Dillon Phillips Hull City LW Andre Green Panserraikos 8 July 2025 DM Hakeem Odoffin Luton Town 10 July 2025 CB Jake Hull Scarborough Athletic 28 July 2026 RM Alex MacDonald Retired 4 July 2025 CF Jonson Clarke-Harris Pendikspor 9 July 2025
New Contract DatePos.PlayerContract untilRef. 6 June 2025 CB Hamish Douglas 30 June 2027 9 June 2025 CF Josh Ayres 30 June 2026 CM Ben Hatton 30 June 2026 28 June 2025 CF Ciaran McGuckin 29 June 2025 Joshua Kayode
Pre-season and friendlies On 5 June, Rotherham United announced their first pre-season fixture, against Accrington Stanley. A day later, a second friendly was confirmed against Harrogate Town. A third fixture was shortly added after, with the traditional meeting with Parkgate to begin the preparations for the new season. A home fixture was then confirmed against Sheffield United. On 12 June, a warm-weather training camp in Portugal was announced along with a friendly versus Bromley.
Competitions
League One
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches On 26 June, the League One fixtures were released.
FA Cup
Rotherham were drawn at home to Swindon Town in the first round.
EFL Cup
Rotherham were drawn away to Salford City in the first round and to Barnsley in the second round.
EFL Trophy
Rotherham were drawn against Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Manchester City U21 in the group stage. After finishing second in the group stage, they were then drawn away to Salford City in the round of 32. and to Huddersfield Town in the round of 16.
Statistics Appearances and goals Players with no appearances are not included on the list; italics indicate a loaned in player
|colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:
Notes
References