There was further good news announced on Monday for the [Everton](https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com) Under-21s as young Welsh talent **Aled Thomas** put pen to paper for the next two seasons, his first as a professional. The 18 year old hails from Pen-y-cae near Wrexham, not far from where a highly successful former Everton captain, **Kevin Ratcliffe** grew up. Exactly like his famous countryman, Thomas is a left footed centre back who can also play left back.
The 4-cap Wales Under 19 international will definitely once again be involved with Paul Tait’s Under 21s, as indeed he was for the second half of last season. He made 33 appearances between both age groups last season, scoring 2 goals for the U18s and an impressive 3 for the U21s.
A remarkably high number (3) of assists for a centre back can be explained by the fact that he regularly takes inswinging corners from the right wing and they are hit with great pace and accuracy. I have seen quite a lot of him and, whilst he is perhaps not yet first team ready, he has shown steady improvement and maturity. He has a great left foot, doesn’t panic on the ball, good in the air for his size (6 foot tall) and reads the game well. I’m looking forward to him consolidating his position in the U21 side. Left footed centre backs don’t “grow on trees” so the Blues are blessed to have two in Thomas and his first team counterpart, **Jarrad Branthwaite**. Thomas is pictured below at the signing photo shoot.
It has become normal now that such announcements follow hot on the tails of each other and this season is no exception. On Tuesday, it was announced that **Coby Ebere** also signed a new 2 year contract, taking him until the summer of 2027.
It’s difficult not to feel sorry for the German-born, 19 year old forward who can play as a left winger or main striker with ease. Injury ruined his first proper season in 2024/25 with the Under 21s. After a stellar first year in 2023 with the Under 18s, when he scored an incredible 19 goals in 36 appearances, he only made it back into the U21 side in the springtime and managed just 7 appearances and one goal. It would no doubt have been a confidence boost for him however when, in February this year, he was an unused substitute on the first team bench against Crystal Palace in our 2-1 victory.
He’s 20 in September and will be very keen to make up for lost time. He’s a “big unit” with very good feet and I suspect he may, given his age and the point in his development, be a candidate for a loan to a lower Football League club. Certainly, he will not be bullied playing against seasoned professionals and if he maintains an injury-free spell he may just make some headlines! He’s pictured below signing his new contract.
And no sooner was Ebere announced there was more good news on Wednesday also that **Jack Patterson** had renewed terms. He actually had 12 months left of his old contract but his new one, like all the others, now runs to June 2027.
19 year old Patterson (no relation to Nathan) has made steady progress since he arrived from **Crusaders** (Northern Ireland) 3 years ago. He has been capped for his country at Under 18 level and he is a defensive midfielder who loves a strong tackle. He has featured in 31 games at U21 level and will be looking to consolidate his position there this coming season. He is pictured below at his signing photo shoot.
Finally for this batch of new contracts, the worst kept secret at this level, that **Isaac Heath** was about to sign a new contract. He did just that and it was announced on Thursday. You guessed it, another one till 2027! The lively, versatile 20 year old forward from West Yorkshire, is currently away with **David Moyes**’ depleted first team training camp (see below as he \[centre\] and **Francis Gomez** watch on as Beto’s on the ball).
For those that don’t know, Heath was deservedly voted player of the season for Everton U21s last season such was his consistency and value to the team in a fine campaign. He is probably most naturally a winger (either side as he is genuinely two-footed) but he’s more than comfortable as a wing or conventional full back (either side) or as an attacking central midfielder. He’s not the tallest which is probably the only reason he doesn’t feature as a centre back or centre forward!
He’s clearly well regarded at the club and featured on the bench for the first team on 5 occasions last season under David Moyes without quite managing to make his debut. I imagine, in training sessions, it’s a delight to be able to move him so easily into different positions. He may possibly benefit from a loan to see how he adapts to the greater physicality of League football. He has bags of stamina, carries the ball well and works ridiculously hard. Two goals and six assists in 46 games at U21 level do not tell the full story about young Heath, a real team-player. He’s pictured below signing the contract.
Other Under 21 players who have recently been offered new professional terms include:
**Fraser Barnsley** (goalkeeper)
**George Finney** and **Joshua van Schoor** (full backs)
**Callum Bates** (midfielder)