Calvert-Lewin to leave Everton as free agent

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a striker for Everton, claims to have made the “incredibly difficult decision” to leave.

The England international’s 28-year contract expires on Monday.

Calvert-Lewin signed for Everton from Sheffield United for £1.5 million in 2016 and has since scored 71 goals in 273 games.

After nine remarkable years, I and my family have to make the difficult decision to launch a new career chapter, Calvert-Lewin wrote on Instagram.

“I didn’t take it lightly,” I said. Since I was 19 years old, my home has been in Eden. It was the place where I realized potential, challenged me to develop, and transformed both my character and football.

Calvert-Lewin made the England squad that reached the Euros final that summer, scoring 16 goals in 33 Premier League games during his best season in 2020-2020.

He struggled with injuries and form the following year, and only started 26 of his matches last season.

Since 2021, he has only added four goals and 11 caps for England.

Calvert-Lewin continued, “We spent a long time considering the decision to move on; it was not just about me. It was about my family.”

We think it’s appropriate to seek out new challenges and grow, but that doesn’t diminish the friendship I’ll always have with Everton.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve shared, fighting for this club when it matters most, scoring goals in crucial situations, and displaying pride and commitment on the shirt.

“I’m hoping I leave with your respect knowing how much I have always fought to uphold the standards of this great club.”

He claimed that Everton’s final three seasons had been the “most difficult” in Premier League history but that he had “led the line” through it in an interview with BBC Sport last month.