“I will be forever Blue” — Doucouré to leave Everton

Abdoulaye Doucouré has announced that he will be leaving Everton at the end of the current season when his contract expires.

The 32-year-old posted a farewell message to social media today, describing his time at Goodison Park as "five wonderful years" despite the difficulties the Blues have faced in terms of successive battles against relegation and two separate points deductions handed down by the Premier League.

Alongside the likes of Richarlison and Jordan Pickford, the French-born midfielder was instrumental in keeping Everton in the top flight and it was his thundering half-volley against Bournemouth in May 2023 that saved the Toffees from the drop.

Despite the uncertainty over his future, he was named in the starting XI to face Southampton in the last ever men's senior game at Goodison on Sunday and he seen wiping away tears as he was substituted midway through the second half, a clear indication that his time with the Club was up.

"Everton means a lot [to] me," Doucouré said. "Obviously the past five years have been hard but I will always remember my time here. It was a dream to play for Everton Football Club.

"Obviously I am sad to leave the Club but I think the time has come for a new chapter for me and for the Club as well and I will always be grateful for what the Club did for me.

"My best memory will obviously be the goal I scored against Bournemouth to keep the Club in the Premier League. I think this is something I will always be proud of. It was a wonderful moment for me, my family and the Club as well.

"I will miss the fans. I will miss the Football Club and I just wanted them to know that I gave everything every time in training, in games and I was always proud to wear the shirt, always proud to play at Goodison Park. I will just miss the place and I wish them all the best in the new stadium.

"Everton will always be part of my life now. I will be forever Blue; I will always support Everton and I hope they will have a bright future."

Doucouré was signed from Watford in 2020 under then manager Carlo Ancelotti with the aim of bringing power, energy and a box-to-box presence to the team alongside two other midfield acquisitions in Allan and James Rodriguez.

The one-time Mali international ended up far out-lasting both South American players and became a vital player, especially during the battles to avoid relegation in 2021/22 and 2022/23, with Sean Dyche bringing him in from the cold in the second half of the latter season after Frank Lampard had dropped him from the team.

And he has weighed in with important goals this season  as David Moyes completed a successful rescue job once Dyche was sacked, writing himself into Everton history with the fastest ever goal scored at Goodison Park and the latest winner scoreed by a Blues player.

Everton opted in January not to trigger a club option to extend Doucouré's stay by one more year and it apppears as though he was offered new terms but on reduced terms.

He should command plenty of interest this summer, however, with clubs in the Middle East and the Premier League already rumoured to be vying for his signature as a free agent.

» Long Read: The Man for the Moment