Ross Stewart’s journey from Scottish junior football to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is one of the more compelling underdog stories in modern soccer.
This article covers his net worth, contract details, salary history, and the career earnings that turned a Kilwinning Rangers winger into a Championship striker worth millions.
Ross Stewart’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ross Cameron Stewart |
| Date of Birth | July 11, 1996 |
| Age | 30 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Place of Birth | Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Current Club | Southampton FC (EFL Championship) |
| Shirt Number | 11 |
| Turned Professional | 2016 (Albion Rovers) |
| Net Worth | ~$3 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | £1,040,000 (~$1.3M) |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
Early Life and Career
Ross Cameron Stewart was born on July 11, 1996, in Irvine, North Ayrshire — a coastal town in southwest Scotland.
He grew up with football in his blood, spending time in the youth systems of professional clubs including Celtic, Partick Thistle, and St Mirren, though he never made it through to a permanent academy contract at any of them.
That setback could have ended his ambitions early. Instead, Stewart took a different route.
He joined Ardeer Thistle in 2013 and then moved to Kilwinning Rangers in 2015, competing in Scottish Junior football — a level most professional players never experience.
Playing in front of modest crowds and part-time conditions, Stewart quietly developed the physical strength and hold-up play that would later define his senior career.
In 2016, he earned a step up to professional football when Albion Rovers signed him from Kilwinning Rangers for around €2,000.
He spent one season in Scottish League One, scoring four goals in 24 appearances. That was enough to attract St Mirren, who signed him in the summer of 2017.
At St Mirren, Stewart scored on his debut in the Scottish League Cup, but regular first-team minutes were hard to come by.
The club loaned him to Alloa Athletic in December 2017, where he hit three crucial goals during the promotion play-offs against Dumbarton and Raith Rovers — helping Alloa secure their place in the Scottish Championship.
That knack for big-moment goals would resurface throughout his career.
Professional Career
After his loan spell at Alloa, Ross County paid approximately €45,000 to sign Stewart permanently from St Mirren in August 2018.
It was a modest fee, but County got excellent value. Stewart spent three seasons there, scoring 28 goals in 82 appearances and helping the club win promotion to the Scottish Premiership.
His performances in the Scottish Premiership caught the attention of English clubs. On January 31, 2021, Sunderland signed him from Ross County for a reported €338,000, which now looks like one of the shrewdest signings in League One history.
Stewart struggled with injuries in his early months on Wearside, but once he hit form, he was unstoppable.
In the 2021–22 season, he became Sunderland’s top scorer with 26 goals across all competitions, including the decisive strike in the League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley — a moment that sealed the club’s return to the Championship after four years away.
He maintained that form into the Championship. According to Southampton FC’s official profile, Stewart recorded 70 appearances and 36 goals in the Championship while at Sunderland, before Southampton paid £9.3 million to bring him to the south coast in September 2023.
Ross Stewart’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ross Stewart’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million.
He built this wealth primarily through professional contracts in Scotland and England, with his Southampton deal representing the highest-earning period of his career. Transfer fees received by his former clubs — particularly the €9.3 million Southampton paid Sunderland — indicate how his market value grew as his scoring record improved.
Contract
According to verified contract data on Spotrac, Ross Stewart signed a three-year deal with Southampton on September 1, 2023, worth a total of $3,120,000 over its duration.
The contract was set to expire on June 30, 2026, making him a free agent at the start of the 2026–27 season.
No official extension had been publicly confirmed as of mid-2026, though his World Cup inclusion and strong second-half performances added to his market appeal.
Salary
Capology data confirms that Stewart earned an estimated gross fixed salary of £1,040,000 per year during his time at Southampton — equivalent to roughly £20,000 per week.
That places him well below the top earners in the EFL Championship, where players like Harry Winks earn upwards of £4.6 million annually, but his salary reflects his injury-hit contribution rather than his ceiling as a player.
During his Sunderland years, his wages were considerably lower. AiScore salary data indicates he earned around £120,000 annually in the 2023–24 transition period before his Southampton deal kicked in fully.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Annual Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Albion Rovers | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2017–18 | St Mirren / Alloa (loan) | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2018–21 | Ross County | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2021–23 | Sunderland (League One/Championship) | ~£120,000–£200,000 |
| 2023–24 | Southampton | ~£1,040,000 |
| 2024–25 | Southampton | ~£1,040,000 |
| 2025–26 | Southampton | ~£1,040,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Albion Rovers | Scottish League One | 24 | 12 | — |
| 2017–18 | St Mirren | Scottish Championship | 19 | 7 | — |
| 2017–18 | Alloa Athletic (loan) | Scottish Championship | 4 | 3 | — |
| 2018–19 | Ross County | Scottish Premiership / Champ. | 23+ | 6+ | — |
| 2019–20 | Ross County | Scottish Premiership | 21 | 7 | 2 |
| 2020–21 | Ross County | Scottish Premiership | 13 | 3 | — |
| 2020–21 | Sunderland | League One | 19 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | Sunderland | League One | 49 | 26 | 3 |
| 2022–23 | Sunderland | Championship | 13 | 10 | 3 |
| 2023–24 | Southampton | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | Southampton | Premier League / Championship | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Southampton | Championship | 18 | 8 | 2 |
| Career Total | 231+ | 85+ | 11+ |
FAQs
What is Ross Stewart’s net worth?
Ross Stewart’s estimated net worth is approximately $3 million. He earned this through professional contracts at Sunderland and Southampton, plus the career value generated by a £9.3 million transfer fee.
How much does Ross Stewart earn per year?
He earned an annual salary of around £1,040,000 (roughly £20,000 per week) at Southampton during his three-year contract from 2023 to 2026, according to Capology.
What clubs has Ross Stewart played for?
Stewart has played for Ardeer Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers, Albion Rovers, St Mirren, Alloa Athletic (loan), Ross County, Sunderland, and Southampton. He has represented Scotland internationally since 2022.
Why did Ross Stewart move to Southampton?
Southampton signed Stewart from Sunderland in September 2023 for a fee of approximately £9.3 million after he scored 36 goals in 70 Championship appearances for the Black Cats, making him one of the division’s most reliable strikers.
Did Ross Stewart play at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. After a four-year absence from the Scotland squad due to injuries, Ross Stewart was recalled by manager Steve Clarke for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, returning to international football on the back of strong club form at Southampton.
