Teenage centre-back Reece Welch has been handed a four-year deal at Everton in a move that further highlights the club's determination to provide a pathway from the academy to the first team.
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut against Boreham Wood in last season's FA Cup, is set to be a Blue until 2026 under the terms of his new deal. Welch pointed to the roles of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski, and the influence of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, as he revealed his commitment to the club.
He is the latest starlet to be given a deal by director of football Kevin Thelwell, whose Finch Farm overhaul has placed a heavy focus on supporting the club's emerging talent.
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Welch has repeatedly been part of first team training sessions and matchday squads since Lampard's arrival. As well as his debut against Boreham Wood, he was handed his first senior start at Fleetwood Town in this season's Carabao Cup. He also earned minutes during pre-season, including an impressive display in the second half against Arsenal in Baltimore this summer.
The England Under-20 international is now keen to continue his rise at Everton. He said: “It’s amazing to sign this new contract. I’ve been at this club since I was seven-years-old and seen so many players come through the academy into the first team and I’ve always wanted to be one of those.
"Now I’ve been in and around there, it inspires me to take the next step. I want to kick on in the first team, look to make a few more appearances and show what I’m about. I want to wear this blue shirt in the Premier League and, long-term, help Everton to success. Everton fans want hard work, dedication and passion for the club and if I can give that, hopefully I’ll be able to do a good job for Everton.”
New signings Coady and Tarkowski have helped Welch with his development, as have Lampard and first team coach Cole. Welch said: “Frank Lampard has done it all. To learn from someone like him and Ashley Cole is so helpful. They’ve won so many trophies, represented England and now they are here teaching me everything. All I can do is listen to them and put it into my work. With James Tarkowski and Conor Coady coming in, they’ve really helped me, too, and been mentors. I just try to take everything on board from them.”
Thelwell has secured the services of several of Everton's young stars this summer, including Lewis Warrington and Stanley Mills, who both impressed in the US alongside Welch. His Finch Farm project has had a significant focus on developing players for the future and ensuring there is a genuine opportunity to progress through to the first team.
Thelwell said: “This four-year contract is reward for Reece’s hard work and progress at the club. He is another example of the clear pathway that is there for players from our academy into the first team. Reece now has the opportunity to continue to learn from the talented defenders we have in the squad, and to keep pushing for more first-team football, ahead of what we all hope is a long and successful career with Everton.”
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