Three Everton starlets fans need to watch ahead of the new season
Everton have announced the newest set of Under-18 scholars to have signed full-time agreements with the club.
The group of 12 players will all join up with the Toffees U18 squad next season, although some have already broken through at that level.
Everton released a video introducing the youngsters on their website, which saw the players reveal their idols to give fans an insight into how they play.
The Under-18s finished 10th in the Under-18 Premier League last season and will now be managed by former Everton hero Leighton Baines.
While all of the players are talented, there are three that shine above the rest.
Who are the stars?
The standout star of this group is 16-year-old Dutch striker Martin Sherif, who has already made quite the impression at Under-18 level.
In his 19 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League last season, Sherif scored six goals and assisted two more despite the considerable age gap.
He has also caught the attention of the club’s Under-23 setup, making one appearance for at the highest youth level last season.
Holding midfielder Matthew Apter is another youngster to have already shone at Under-18 level, making 11 appearances at U18 level last season.
Apter came into the side towards the end of the season, playing in all of their final 10 matches of the season.
Finally, there is versatile defender Ishe Samuels-Smith who cemented himself as a regular in the Everton U18 defence last season.
Like Sherif, Samuels-Smith has only recently turned 16 but still managed to rack up 18 appearances at Under-18 level last season.
The England Under-16 international can play at either centre-back or left-back and is absolutely one to watch in the years to come.
Everton fans will appreciate seeing three such bright talents beginning to break through and will know that the future is in good hands.