Fan-favourite Coleman will bring the curtain down on his long-running Everton career this month.
Seamus Coleman will leave Everton at the end of the season(Image: Getty Images)
Everton club captain Seamus Coleman’s playing career at the Blues will come to an end when this season concludes.
The 37-year-old, a club icon who joined for just £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in one of the Premier League’s greatest value transfers, will call time on a story that saw him emerge as an icon on the pitch and a leader in the dressing room beloved by teammates, managers and supporters.
He said he was offered the chance to stay on at the club but will now take time to consider the next move for him and his family. He said: “My love for Everton is something you all know about – and I’ve got a huge love for Ireland as well.”
Coleman has been an inspiration on and off the pitch after signing for the club just over 17 years ago – during David Moyes’ first stint in charge. While his influence on the pitch has reduced due to injuries over recent years, his stature off it has grown enormously with managers repeatedly highlighting his importance, particularly during recent years of relegation battles and behind-the-scenes turmoil.
Moyes has made clear on multiple occasions that there is a place at Everton for Coleman beyond this season, whether in the squad, on the coaching staff or, as he has joked, as a groundsman.
Announcing his plans on Friday morning, Coleman said in an emotional statement: “After more than 17 years at this great football club, I’ve decided this season will be my last as a player here.
“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.”
Coleman has captained Everton 140 times and one more appearance across the club’s final two games of the season would take him to 434 in total – moving ahead of Dixie Dean and Leon Osman in 10th spot in Everton’s all-time appearances list.
He continued: “The club have been unbelievable with me… 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.”
Coleman developed into one of the Premier League’s great right-backs after signing from Irish side Sligo in a deal immortalised by his ‘60 grand’ chant at Goodison Park and now Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Reflecting on his Everton career, he said: “Coming over here as a 20-year-old from Sligo Rovers to a reserve team, I was just hoping to impress enough to get on the bench. To think I’ve gone on to make the most Premier League appearances for Everton and to become captain of this great football club – it was beyond my wildest dreams.
“This will always be my football club. I’m glad I’ve been here for so long that I can say I have a team that I will support for the rest of my life. My family, here and back in Ireland, are Evertonians for life. There’s something special about that, knowing in the years to come we’ll still always be supporting Everton.
“This will always be my club. Thank you for letting me be part of it for more than 17 years.”
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