Isaac Heath has become the latest Everton youngster to sign his first professional contract with the club.
Heath joined Everton from hometown club Leeds United in 2019, and he has played in multiple roles, including attacking midfielder and winger. He made 15 appearances for Leighton Baines’ Under-18s last season, scoring two goals.
The 18-year-old’s performances for Baines’ side led to opportunities to train and play for the club’s under-21 side, and he finished the campaign having made seven appearances in the Premier League 2.
Heath is now looking forward to making the step up to under-21 football next season, although he admits it is going to be a big step up from what he is used to.
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"I’m very happy," he told evertontv. "Getting a professional contract is something I’ve been trying to achieve my whole life, and to finally get it feels like a big achievement. I’m delighted to get it over the line."
Before he added: "Under-21 football is quite a lot faster. Obviously, it’s a lot more physical, too, as you’re getting closer to the senior team.
"During the off-season, I’ve been working so hard because now I know I’ll be there full-time; it’s quite a big step up, and I want to be ready.
"My goal for next season is to become a regular in the under-21 side, as well as hopefully getting a few sessions with the senior team, too.
"Everton means a lot to me; it’s a club I support now, and I’ll work hard every single day to get into the senior team. It’s my biggest dream, and every day I have that dream of walking out at Goodison Park."
Heath is the fifth Everton youngster to put pen to paper on a professional deal with the Blues this week. Forward Martin Sherif was the first on Monday, before Owen Barker, Ed Jones, Jack Tierney and Heath all followed.
As previously reported by the ECHO, a key part of director of football Kevin Thelwell’s ambition behind the scenes at Finch Farm is to promote the pathway from the Academy to the first team, with Lewis Warrington, Stanley Mills and Tom Cannon also making the jump to senior level last season.
