Coleman calls time on long Everton playing career

Séamus Coleman has announced that he will leave Everton this summer, 17 years after arriving as an unknown 20-year-old from Sligo Rovers in his native Ireland.

In the interim, the Killybegs-born defender has made over 430 appearances for the Toffees and helped the club through some of the toughest years of its long history. A vital influence on the pitch, he proved just as valuable off it in recent years as a glavanising and inspirational force in the dressing room as Everton battled relegation under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche.

Now 37, Coleman announced his emotional decision to leave the Blues with a personal video message to supporters in which he explained that he will take time this summer to take a step back, relax with his family and decide what to do next.

Though he has had minimal playing time for Everton over the past couple of seasons due to injury, he recently played both of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers and their agonising play-off defeat on penalties to the Czech Republic, suggesting that his playing dasy might not be over.

Everton, meanwhile, have told him there is a job on the coaching staff open to him should he wish to make that transition immediately. Coleman has his UEFA coaching badges and took charge of the Blues' FA Cup tie against Peterborough United in January last year alongside Leighton Baines following Dyche's dismissal as manager.

Coleman was famously signed for just £60,000 in 2009 by David Moyes during the Scot's first managerial spell and, after a loan assignment at Blackpool, quickly became an important part of Everton's first team, first as a versatile winger and then as a fixture at right-back.