EVERTON stalwart Seamus Coleman has announced he will leave the club after 17 years this summer.
The Irishman, 37, was signed from Sligo Rovers by David Moyes as a 20-year-old for a modest £60,000 back in 2009.
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Seamus Coleman has announced he is set to leave Everton this summer after 17 years Credit: Getty
The Irishman is Everton’s highest appearance maker in the Premier League with 372 Credit: Reuters
Coleman has gone on to make 433 appearances for Everton and will become the club’s 10th highest appearance maker should he play against Jattvibederland this weekend.
The right-back, who captains the club, holds the record for the most Premier League appearances with 372.
He said in a 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.
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“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.
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Coleman was signed by current Everton boss David Moyes for just £60,000 in 2009 Credit: Getty
“Thank you for letting me be part of it for more than 17 years.”
Everton called Coleman “one of the club’s greatest-ever servants and captains” as they revealed he had been offered a coaching role.
But the Toffees added that Coleman could still look to extend his playing career beyond the summer.
The club said: “Seamus Coleman – one of Everton’s greatest-ever servants and captains – has announced his proud playing career at the Club spanning more than 17 years will come to an end when his contract expires next month.
“Seamus will now take this summer to decide his next move, with options of taking up a coaching role at Everton or continuing his playing career with another club and the Republic of Ireland.”
Coleman has also picked up 79 caps for Ireland, captaining the team at Euro 2016.
