Everton have confirmed that Republic of Ireland international Heather Payne will leave the Women's Super League club when her contract expires at the end of the month.
The versatile 25-year-old, who is not in Carla Ward's Irish squad for this month's friendlies in the USA having been hampered by injury, has been at the Toffees since August 2023 after spending four years in the US collegiate system with Florida State Seminoles.
The Ballinasloe native won Everton's Young Player of the Season award in her debut campaign before making another 17 appearances last season.
"Heather has worked tirelessly and her improvement as a player, and a person, is clear to see. Her attitude and desire to win games has helped us massively throughout my time as head coach," said Everton head coach Brian Sorensen of the former Peamount United player as her impending exit was confirmed.
Payne's Ireland team-mate, goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, remains part of the club's first team and is contracted until June 2026.
The Everton women's will be playing their home games at Goodison Park from next season, with the men's side moving to the newly-built stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
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