Everton defender Kyle John agrees new deal at Goodison Park
Everton have confirmed youngster Kyle John has signed a new two-year contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2024.
The right-back has been with the club since the age of six and has been a mainstay in the Toffees’ under-21s over recent years.
John, 21, has featured six times in Premier League two in the 2022/23 season and has also been part of Everton’s EFL trophy campaign. Kevin Thelwell was delighted as the defender committed himself to the club.
“Kyle’s progress with us from the age of six has been clear and consistent – and we’re very pleased to be able to help him continue his journey towards First-Team football,” said Thelwell (Everton official website, 25 October).
Thelwell work continues
When Thelwell came to Everton, it was never going to be a quick fix. There were plenty of aspects of the club which needed drastic changing, which would also require a lot of patience from Evertonians.
When the director of football was at Wolverhampton Wanderers, he managed to turn their academy into one of the most productive and highly rated in the entire country. When it comes to developing younger players, it’s never a quick fix and that must be acknowledged by fans.
Thelwell has made some sweeping backroom changes when it comes to the academy and has also looked to be active when it comes to getting Everton’s hottest prospects tied down to new deals. 17-year-old sensation Coby Ebere was offered a new deal on 15 September, and midfield duo Callum Bates and Luke Butterfield have also committed their futures to the club.
The director of football has started to target the players which he and his staff believe have the best chance of breaking into the first-team equation and getting them tied down to the club is progressive thinking from the man in charge.