Shea Pita had an immediate impact when he burst into Everton's under-21s side at the age of just 16
HALEWOOD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Hadyn Murray-Holme of Liverpool and Shea Pita of Everton in action during the U18 PL match at Finch Farm on February 07, 2026 in Halewood, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hadyn Murray-Holme of Liverpool and Shea Pita of Everton in action during the under-18s match at Finch Farm on February 07, 2026 in Halewood, England(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Everton had just seized the initiative but had yet to take the lead. Under the lights of Goodison Park, temperature dropping with Christmas just days away, the Under-21s’ ambitions in Europe appeared to be fading.
But after trailing 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven at the break, two quick second-half goals brought them back into the tie.
There was still work to be done when substitute Shea Pita burst into the box with the ball at his feet. There was still work to be done when he picked up the ball for the high-pressure spot kick he earned when his run ended with him being bundled over.
He held his nerve. Everton won.
It was one of several pivotal moments for Paul Tait’s side in their run to the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup. After a defeat to Real Madrid’s youngsters they revived their hopes of getting through the group stages with wins over Monaco, RB Leipzig and that victory over PSV.
The tournament, which ended at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, was a proving ground for several of the academy’s prospects, from Braiden Graham to Malik Olayiwola and Ademide Akarakiri.
The introduction of Olayiwola and Akarakiri that night, just before the hour mark, changed the game. The pair combined for Olayiwola to pull the first goal back before Kingsford Boakye, who came on alongside them, levelled.
Looking for a hero to finish the job, Tait turned to Pita and the Wales youth international duly obliged. It was a breakthrough moment for the teenager aged just 16 and making his first appearance for the U21s.
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More positive experiences would follow as he became a sustained fixture in the senior academy team, including a goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the U18s’ FA Youth Cup win over Ipswich Town.
Pita has now been rewarded for his efforts, signing his first professional contract after turning 17.
Of the deal, he told club media: “I feel amazing. It has been a dream come true. It is a great feeling to have signed my first professional deal.
“It has been a really good season for me so far. It was a bit of an up and down start to the season with injuries, but I think I found my feet towards Christmas time and I started really pushing up into the Under-21s. I have really enjoyed it.
“It is amazing to play at both Hill Dickinson Stadium and Goodison Park. I know all the history that Goodison Park possesses so to score there was amazing.”
Pita has been part of a group of teenagers trusted to step up from the U18s to the U21s this season, with several making a positive impression.
Graham has again proven lethal in front of goal and he and Olayiwola have both been named on the first team bench by David Moyes. Akarakiri has also impressed and so has Pita.
The hope is they will be able to make further progress next season as the Blues continue to rebuild their academy framework and first-team pathway after several years of financial issues saw opportunities limited and key prospects sold.
The league campaigns for the U21s and U18s are both over, the U21s' with a play-off defeat to Huddersfield Town on Monday after a disappointing finish to their Premier League 2 season.
The U18s ended their year with a 5-3 win over Manchester City.
The younger side reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup but silverware could still head to the academy this season with the U21s set to face Runcorn Linnets in the final of Liverpool Senior Cup.