EXETER City FC Captain Pierce Sweeney has departed the club, bringing a special 10-year association with the Grecians to an end.

Out of contract following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Pierce has taken the difficult decision to pursue a new opportunity, closing the chapter on one of the most memorable careers in recent Exeter City history.

A model of consistency, commitment and professionalism throughout his decade in Devon, Sweeney leaves St James Park having made 435 appearances in red and white, scoring 24 goals and registering 21 assists. His name is etched into the club's history. He sits in fourth place for City’s all time appearance makers and played a key role in helping City secure promotion to League One in 2022.

Pierce's Exeter City story began in the summer of 2016 following his departure from Reading. A phone call offering him the opportunity to impress at the Cliff Hill Training Ground proved to be the defining moment of his career.

He made his Football League debut for the Grecians away at Blackpool in August 2016. Few could have predicted then that he would go on to become one of the Club's longest-serving players of the modern era.

Pierce quickly established himself as an integral member of the squad and his first goal arrived in a 3-1 victory away at Forest Green Rovers in September 2017.

One true highlight of Pierce’s time as a Grecian would be the promotion of 2022/23. Pierce was named City’s captain for the second half of the 2023/24 season after the departure of Matt Jay.

For the next three seasons he led the Grecians through League One, setting standards on and off the pitch and becoming an outstanding ambassador for the club in the community.