Seamus Coleman exit confirmed – All Everton fans need to know amid contract expiry
Seamus Coleman will leave Everton at the end of the season.
The Irish defender has been with the Blues for the past 17 years but will end his time on Merseyside when his contract expires, per an announcement from the club on 15 May.
That means that there are only two matches left before he calls time on his Toffees career, the home clash with Sunderland and the trip to Tottenham.
He has featured just five times this season, so it is not exactly a surprise to supporters, but it will still hurt to see him depart.
The announcement gives Everton fans a chance to say a proper goodbye to a modern-day club legend.
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Could Coleman stay at Everton after contract expiry?
Coleman could stay on with Everton, but it would be in a coaching role rather than a playing one.
The Blues revealed in the announcement that he has been offered a position, but could continue playing with another club or the Republic of Ireland national team.
The kind of position and his intentions on taking it were not shared by the club.
When could his final game for Everton be?
His final game could be either the home clash with the Black Cats on 17 May or the trip to Spurs on 24 May.
The former would give him an opportunity to have a send-off from the support that has backed him for nearly two decades.
The latter would not have as much significance since it is on the road and not in front of his own fans.
He would likely be able to play in both, given that he was on the bench for the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last time out, so there are no fitness issues.
It would purely be a selection decision from Moyes.
What has Coleman said about Everton exit?
Coleman shared a message for supporters after the decision was confirmed, with emphasis placed on their impact on his career.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the 37-year-old said: “I want to thank the fans for their unbelievable support. You’ve helped me in more ways than you could imagine. I’ve always tried my best to put Everton Football Club first and you all mean the world to me. I live in the city – I see you all daily – and I’ve taken your love of the Football Club back into the dressing room to explain to the lads how much Everton means to the people.
“I also thank my managers, teammates and all the staff at Everton. They’ve seen me happy, sad, angry, emotional, but the greater cause has always been Everton Football Club. Thank you for making me a better captain and teammate. It’s an incredible football club with incredible people.
“Obviously, after such a big decision, I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what’s next for me and my family. My love for Everton is something you all know about – and I’ve got a huge love for Ireland as well.
“The Club have been unbelievable with me. They’ve offered me an opportunity to stay on at the Football Club. The manager and staff have been great, and I think with it being such an important decision over my future, I’m going to take a nice, long holiday and look back on what has been an amazing time as an Everton footballer.”
It promises to be an emotional few weeks for the player and the fanbase, but the time has come to say farewell to a legendary figure, that will go down in the history books on the blue half of Merseyside.
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