**Everton captain Seamus Coleman is set to retire at the end of this season.**
Coleman will bow out as the club’s record Premier League appearance holder after a 17-year spell since his £60,000 arrival from Sligo Rovers in January 2009.
He could overtake Dixie Dean and Leon Osman for the Blues’ tenth-highest appearances of all-time if selected for Sunday’s final home game of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international became a firm fans’ favourite in his time with the Blues and [took temporary charge following Sean Dyche’s sacking](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/everton-fc/55465-sean-dyche-sacked-as-everton-manager-david-moyes/).
David Moyes’ side have offered Coleman the option of extending his post-playing career on Merseyside, which the right-back will mull over during the summer.
He said: “I want to thank the fans for their unbelievable support.
“You’ve helped me in more ways than you could imagine. I’ve always tried my best to put Everton Football Club first and you all mean the world to me.
“I live in the city – I see you all daily – and I’ve taken your love of the football club back into the dressing room to explain to the lads how much Everton means to the people.
“I also thank my managers, teammates and all the staff at Everton. They’ve seen me happy, sad, angry, emotional, but the greater cause has always been Everton Football Club.
“Thank you for making me a better captain and teammate. It’s an incredible football club with incredible people.
“Obviously, after such a big decision, I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what’s next for me and my family.
“My love for Everton is something you all know about – and I’ve got a huge love for Ireland as well.
“The club have been unbelievable with me. They’ve offered me an opportunity to stay on at the football club. The manager and staff have been great.
“I think with it being such an important decision over my future, I’m going to take a nice, long holiday and look back on what has been an amazing time as an Everton footballer.”