Everton have confirmed the departure of Ishe Samuels-Smith to Chelsea, with the Toffees said to have received 'significant compensation' for the switch.
Despite failing to make a senior appearance for the club, Samuels-Smith departs Goodison Park having made significant impressions on boss Sean Dyche and his predecessor Frank Lampard.
Samuels-Smith joined Everton aged nine and despite his young age was a regular in Paul Tait’s Under-21s last season, while he also represented England across his developmental age groups.
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Seeing academy prospects depart and seek pastures new is never an easy sight for supporters to digest, though it is relatively comforting to see this was a move amicably conducted.
This is indicated by Samuels-Smith's parting message on Instagram, which read: "My seven years at Everton have come to an end. I'd like to thank all the staff and players for getting me where I am today. ISHE."
The teenager also spoke to the Chelsea website: "It was a shock to me because it all happened quickly, but I’m really glad to be here. It’s going to be a good experience coming into such a big club. It will be a new challenge because there are top players here, so I am going to have to adapt quickly and get through the levels."
The sale also has an air of inevitability to it. It is the second departure announced by Everton in recent days, with striker Ellis Simms having been sold to Coventry City.
With the aforementioned compensation received for Samuels-Smith thought to be worth up to around £4m, it is fair to presume Sean Dyche's transfer kitty will have been significantly boosted ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The likes of El Bilal Toure, Joel Piroe and Iliman Ndiaye have been linked with moves to Goodison Park over the last week or so.
