Dominic Calvert-Lewin says goodbye to Everton after nine years
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made the “disproportionately difficult choice” to leave the club.
The 28-year-old England international has a contract until Monday.
Read: Weighed too lightly by Solskjaer – Serie A legend Ciro Immobile sent home
Calvert-Lewin joined Everton from Sheffield United for £1.5 million in 2016 and has scored 71 goals in 273 appearances for the Toffees.
“After nine remarkable years, I have – along with my family – made the incredibly difficult choice to start a new chapter in my career,” Calvert-Lewin wrote on Instagram.
“This was not something I chose lightly. Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It’s the place that saw the potential in me, challenged me to grow and shaped me both as a footballer and as a person.”
He continued, “I want to express my gratitude to all the coaches I’ve worked with over the years, and to the teammates who have become friends for life.”
Heyday and Destiny
Calvert-Lewin had his best season in 2020/21 when he scored 16 goals in 33 Premier League games and was part of the England squad that reached the European Championship final that summer.
In the following years, he struggled with injuries and form problems, and last season he started just over half of the 26 games he played. He has not played for England since 2021 (11 caps, 4 goals).
Family background for the election
“The decision to move forward wasn’t just mine – it was made together with the family, and we spent a long time considering it together,” he added.
“We believe this is the right time to seek new challenges and continue to develop, but it does not weaken the bond I will always have with Everton.”
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve experienced together – fighting for the club when it really mattered, scoring important goals in crucial moments, wearing the shirt with dedication and pride.”
“I hope I get to leave with their respect, knowing that I always strived to live up to the values of this great club.”
Difficult times at Goodison Park
In an interview with BBC Sport last month, he called the last three seasons the “most difficult” in Everton’s Premier League history, but stressed that he had “been the mainstay” through the crisis.
Everton are now without a first-team striker for their first season at the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. The club has been linked with Villarreal’s 22-year-old French attacking talent Thierno Barry as a potential replacement.
Read on F7: Michael Mann’s “Heat 2” is finally in development
