UK-based midfielder Ethan Chislett has addressed his future amidst interest from Scottish clubs. The South Africa-born attacker is among those departing Port Vale FC after their promotion-winning season.
The 26-year-old’s consistent performances played a crucial role in the club’s League One promotion. However, he has opted not to extend his contract, which expires at the end of June.
Alongside Chislett, other departures include right-back Tom Sang, midfielders Jason Lowe and Rekeem Harper, and long-serving defender Nathan Smith, who dedicated 16 years to Port Vale.
For Chislett, this marks the end of a significant chapter at Vale Park and opens the door for new opportunities in his career.
WHAT ETHAN CHISLETT SAID ABOUT HIS FUTURE AMIDST SCOTTISH INTEREST
“It’s been a tough year,” Chislett told FARPost. “I haven’t seen eye to eye with the club. They blocked me from going to another club, basically, and they refused to take any offers. My contract’s coming to an end…”
The free-scoring playmaker had a chance to move in January, but the club blocked his transfer on deadline day.
“I love the club, I love the fans, and I love the players. But it was quite a dark day; it was the transfer deadline day. They told me I could go, and then they were telling [interested] clubs another thing… That was about three weeks after I just came back to South Africa for the funeral [of my grandfather],” he explained.
With interest from Scotland in the Premier Division and a desire to return to the Betway Premiership, Chislett expressed that his heart and mind were aligned with South Africa.
“But now with the 2026 [FIFA] World Cup coming up and the potential opportunities in South Africa, it seems like almost the perfect time,” Ethan’s dad, Donovan, told FARPost. “He’s also speaking to clubs in the UK. He’s got an offer from a Scottish SPL team – the Premier League in Scotland. So, he’s weighing up things and to make sure that the next club are really excited and can really take him to the next level because I think he’s ready to go to the next level now.”
“I’m looking for a fresh opportunity. I think my heart and mind are aligned, and they’re set to South Africa, if possible,” said the Durban-born star, who left South Africa at the age of four.
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