At the end of June, Ashley Young and two other players will be released by Everton. Young’s lengthy Premier League career may be coming to an end as Everton has announced that they will release him.
Young, 39, who is only a few months younger than Lukasz Fabianksi, is the second-oldest player in the Premier League and is being released by Everton.
With Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and the Merseysiders, Young has made 438 Premier League appearances in 19 seasons.
He earned 39 England caps between 2007 and 2018, won the Premier League with United in 2012–13, and was named to the PFA Team of the Year twice. His Everton contract expires in June.
‘I’d like to thank both Sean and David for giving me the opportunity to play for this Club,’ Young wrote on social media. ‘To all the staff that have been on this journey thank you all for everything you’ve done and in whatever way you’ve helped trust me.
‘Then of course You Players, I have loved every minute of every day being in and sharing the dressing room with you, we’ve had ups and downs, people going against us; but Our Togetherness inside Our dressing room has got us through tough times.
Meanwhile, David Moyes admitted it is a ‘complicated situation’ for them with players’ contracts expiring.
‘I just want to say keep being Together and move into the new stadium giving the Evertonians what they deserve, which I believe is good football, hunger, fight, desire and Winning”
‘Now to you fans, you’re a tough bunch, haha, but thank you for your support. I’ve had my doubters and haters, I’m all for it as I know you have seen the Passion, Determination, Fight and Winning Mentality I have had all throughout my career.
‘Keep getting behind that team as you say farewell to Goodison and welcome Bramley-Moore Dock. Tomorrow is going to be full of so many emotions for everyone but let’s leave Goodison smiling and happy. UTFT.’
Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic are also being let go by the team. Begovic, a 37-year-old goalie, rejoined Everton at the beginning of the season but did not play. Virginia, a 25-year-old fellow custodian, joined the team in 2018 and has played for the senior squad eight times.
David Moyes, the manager, stated:
‘Since my return to the Club, I’ve seen what a great professional Ash is and know the leadership qualities he has brought to the squad during his time at Everton. His versatility, experience and know-how have also been really beneficial to the team and me.
‘Asmir and Joao have also worked really hard and conducted themselves impeccably.
‘On behalf of everyone at the Club, I want to thank all three players for their service and we wish them all the very best for the future.
‘This is a complicated situation in many respects, with so many players out of contract this summer. It’s important to me to speak with all of those players, individually, to give them clarity on their situations.
‘Lots of factors influence our decision-making and we’re currently working through that process with the players, which takes time. Some will have clarity by the end of this week, and for others it may get to next week, but it’s important it’s handled in the right way.
Young has spent two years at Everton and made 68 appearances in that time, a testament to his enduring physicality and professionalism.
