Tom Davies will leave Everton when his current contract expires at the end of the month.
The midfielder has been at the club since the age of 11 but has decided to opt for a new challenge. While he still played a significant part in Sean Dyche’s matchday plans he struggled to maintain a place in the side and had spoken of his desire to play first team football.
Confirmation of his departure sparked touching words from Sue Gregory, the chief executive of Everton in the Community, who sought to make clear the charity’s gratitude for Davies’ work to support the organisation and its initiatives.
Explaining his understanding of the decision, director of football Kevin Thelwell said: “We offered Tom a new contract, but he feels he has reached the stage in his career where he needs regular first-team football and, as a result, he wants to look at alternative options away from Everton.”
READ MORE: MSP Sports Capital focus on Everton deal as major investment sees big changes
READ MORE: Tom Davies 'concretely thinking' about Serie A proposal after Everton contract offer
Davies made 179 appearances for the Blues after bursting onto the scene as a teenager. He won man of the match in his first Premier League start at Norwich City in 2016 and then, during the next season, he scored a superb goal against Manchester City amid a campaign that ended with with him scooping Young Player of the Year and, for that City game, Individual Performance of the Season and Goal of the Season. Davies became a key part of a team he would repeatedly captain and he played 30 times in 2020/21, playing his 150th game for the club when coming off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers that season.
Injuries have since hampered his development, however, and the midfielder has endured a difficult two seasons with setbacks consistently halting his momentum.
Davies made 19 appearances this season and started a clutch of games in the opening weeks of the campaign, including the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. But the international break came at a bad time for him and after that he could only look on as summer signings Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana established themselves under first Frank Lampard and later Dyche. Davies did not record a start within Dyche’s 18 games and missed the conclusion of the season through injury.
Upon the confirmation of his departure Ms Gregory said: “On behalf of Everton in the Community, I want to thank Tom for his tireless efforts and commitment to our charity. He has always been unwavering in his support and was a fantastic ambassador for the club, which included doing charitable work of his own accord around this city he loves so much. We thank him for everything he has done for us.”
Thelwell added: “As a lifelong Evertonian and proud Scouser, Tom has always given everything for the club. We respect his decision and thank him for his service and commitment. Everyone at Everton wishes him the very best for the future.”
