Seamus Coleman has announced he will leave Everton when his contract expires as the end of the season.
The Ireland full-back has been offered a coaching position with the Premier League club but has yet to decide if he will continue his playing career elsewhere.
The Donegal native said he will play for Ireland in the summer and go on holiday before deciding what he will do next.
Coleman joined Everton from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 in 2009 and to date he has made 433 appearances for the Blues, including 140 as captain, and scored 22 goals.
With one more appearance he will move to ninth on Everton's all-time appearances list above the club's record goal scorer, Dixie Dean.
Everton have two more games this season, including what will be Coleman's final home game against Sunderland on Sunday.
The 37-year-old also stood in as head coach alongside former team-mate Leighton Baines for the FA Cup tie against Peterborough United in early 2025 following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
In 2013-14, he was named Everton's Player's Player and Supporters' Player of the Year, and he was named to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year
"After more than 17 years at this great football club, I've decided this season will be my last as a player here," said Coleman in a statement
“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, and 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.”
In a video message, Coleman expressed his disappointment at not winning a trophy for Everton and remarked on the difficulty of recent seasons as the club battled relegation and points deduction.
David Moyes, whose two stints as Everton manager have coincided with Coleman joining and leaving the club, said it was a "remarkable achievement" to represent Everton for 17 years.
"I know it’s going to be incredibly difficult to replace the characteristics Seamus brings to this club," he continued.
"His influence behind the scenes is hard to measure and explain. He’s hugely respected by everyone, and we will miss his presence, on and off the pitch.
“He deserves to have a special place in the club’s history, but also in the hearts of every Evertonian because he embodies everything this club stands for every time he pulls on the shirt.
Since making his debut in 2011, Coleman has won 79 caps and scored one goal for Ireland.
He was omitted from Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for Euro 2012 but featured at Euro 2016, setting up Wes Hoolahan's goal in the 1-1 draw with Sweden.
Seamus Coleman
Eden Hazard of Belgium and Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at Stade Matmut Atlantique on June 18, 2016 in Bordeaux, France. (Pic: Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Coleman signed a one-year extension with Everton last summer believed to be worth £3.58m (€4.11m) with bonuses, which works out to £68,750 (€78,790) per week.
During his Everton career, he has earned a total of £37.33m (€42.9m), according to Capology.
Photo: Seamus Coleman of Everton applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on January 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Pic: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)