The striker who traded a £1,500 transfer fee for World Cup glory

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Ross Stewart’s journey from the Scottish Juniors to the global stage is a masterclass in persistence. After a humble start where his own father helped fund his move to senior football, he overcame chronic injuries to become one of Scotland's most reliable forwards.

Stewart's professional trajectory began with a community effort. In 2016, when the part-time club Albion Rovers could not afford a £1,500 transfer fee to bring him into senior football, the cost was covered by supporters' club members and Stewart's father. This grassroots beginning preceded a steady climb through the Scottish tiers, including spells at St Mirren and Ross County, where he helped secure promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

His move to English side Sunderland in 2021 marked a significant turning point. It was here that he earned the moniker 'Loch Ness Drogba,' a tribute to his Scottish roots and his physical style of play reminiscent of Didier Drogba. During the 2021–22 season, Stewart reached a career peak by scoring the second goal in the EFL League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers. He finished that campaign as the league's joint top scorer with 26 goals and was named the PFA Fans' Player of the Year.

However, Stewart's path has been defined as much by physical setbacks as by scoring feats. A severe Achilles injury in January 2023 sidelined him for months, followed by a hamstring issue that ruled him out for most of the subsequent season. Despite these hurdles and a four-year absence from the national team due to fitness concerns, he earned a recall by Steve Clarke for the 2026 World Cup. After being released by Southampton in 2026, he continues his career with Swansea City.

Stewart's journey highlights the grueling nature of professional football: moving between clubs like St Mirren, Sunderland, and Southampton while navigating the transition from part-time junior leagues to international competition.

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