Jason Holt exercises relegation clause to leave Livingston at end of season

Jason Holt has exercised his relegation clause at Livingston and will leave the West Lothian club at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old midfielder signed for the Lions from Rangers in 2020 and had been an integral part of David Martindale’s side who – with two fixtures remaining – are guaranteed to finish bottom of the cinch Premiership.

Holt signed a two-year contract extension last April which would take him up to the end of the 2024/25 season but Livi boss Martindale revealed the former Hearts player would depart as he prepared for budget cuts of “25/30 percent” after having to make similar reductions last season.

Martindale said: “Jason Holt would be in contract if we stayed in the Premiership but he has an automatic relegation clause in his contract.

“I have had a good chat with Jason and he is happy to exercise that. I can’t offer Jason the money that he needs.

“He is a married man with a family and a mortgage. I would love to keep Jason but I can’t keep him at the club due to the finances on offer.

“A Premiership wage to a Championship wage is a big difference.

“Jason was probably one of my top earners at the club because of what he brought to the club on a daily and weekly basis. The money I can offer, it is not feasible for Jason. I understand that I can’t keep him.

“I shook his hand and thanked him for everything and told him I would love to keep him but I can’t due to budget the club will have going forward, it is going to drop significantly.

“But we will have a competitive budget for the Championship so it gives you a fighting chance next season.”