From locking down a place in a Premier League promotion push to breaking through with first senior goals, the ECHO takes a look at how the club's loanees are faring away from Finch Farm
Isaac Heath has shone for Accrington Stanley
Isaac Heath has shone for Accrington Stanley(Image: Mark Kerton/Shutterstock)
View Image
While Jack Grealish and Merlin Rohl made headlines by joining Everton on loan for the 2025/26 season, several exciting Blues youngsters went out of the door to further their experience at the same time.
David Moyes has sent some stars of the future down the divisions, from the Championship to the National League, in order to get some important experience that could help them succeed on Merseyside in years to come.
Here, we take a look at how they're getting on.
Harrison Armstrong
The loanee playing at the highest level whilst away from Hill Dickinson Stadium is Harrison Armstrong, with the midfielder spending the season with Championship side Preston North End.
The 18-year-old has already been receiving a good amount of minutes under Paul Heckingbottom, with 11 appearances in the league so far, eight of those coming from the start.
The Englishman has helped the Lilywhites to an impressive start to the campaign, as they find themselves fourth, eight points behind early-season pacesetters Coventry City.
Armstrong has already racked up three assists this season, but two of those came before his move to Preston as he shone in an EFL Cup tie against Mansfield. International youth caps have also come the youngster's way, and he has established himself in the England under-19s setup.
Isaac Heath
Accrington Stanley have provided Isaac Heath with plenty of minutes so far during the League Two season, but John Doolan’s side have struggled during the first 16 games and were hovering three points above the relegation zone before this weekend.
Despite the Reds’ poor start to the season, Heath has been one of the bright sparks at The Crown Ground. The 21-year-old has become a regular starter for Accrington, with Everton staff hoping his minutes will continue to pile up before he returns to the club in the summer.
The Everton Under-21s' player of last season continued to impress this weekend when he grabbed another goal as he opened the scoring in a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers that pushed Stanley towards mid-table.
Tyler Onyango
High-flying Stockport County have taken the option of bringing back Tyler Onyango for another loan. The move marks the Englishman’s return to the club after playing there last season.
The 22-year-old is part of David Challinor’s in-form side who currently sit at the top a competitive League One table. Since his second move from Merseyside to Edgeley Park at the end of the summer transfer window, Onyango has made eight appearances, producing two assists for the Hatters.
Francis Okoronkwo
The Everton loanee is another youngster to make his way down to League One, with promotion-chasing Lincoln City as his new temporary home.
Initially most of Okoronkwo’s minutes were limited to short stints from the bench, but the 21-year-old has burst into action in the past week, scoring in the EFL Trophy win over Barnsley and then netting his first league goal for the club in the win over Doncaster on Saturday. That was a strike that moved Lincoln joint-top, alongside Onyango's Stockport.
Martin Sherif
Martin Sherif has also made the trip down to the third tier, with his opportunity coming at Rotherham United.
The 19-year-old has impressed in the time he has been given, getting two goals in 10 appearances. After an encouraging year playing for Everton Under-21s, scoring seven in 14, the youngster has ventured into the senior game for the first time this season and the initial signs look very positive, which will encourage the staff back on Merseyside.
Fraser Barnsley and Odin Samuels Smith
The young Everton duo have both made the move to local side Marine in the National League North.
Samuels-Smith has started to hold down a regular slot at left-back, whilst Barnsley has taken the number one goalkeeper's spot
Bobby Grant’s side currently find themselves in 8th in the National League North table, one point off qualification for a playoff place.
Content Image
Content Image