Roman Dixon is being released by Everton after rising through the academy to make his professional debut with the club
Roman Dixon in action during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Everton and Doncaster Rovers at Goodison Park in 2024 in Liverpool. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Roman Dixon in action during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Everton and Doncaster Rovers at Goodison Park in 2024 in Liverpool. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
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Everton academy prospect Roman Dixon thanked the club as he prepared to move on.
The 21-year-old is set to leave the Blues after a decade rising through the ranks at Finch Farm. That development took him to a Premier League start - at Tottenham Hotspur under Sean Dyche - but injuries hampered his efforts to progress further.
The right back, who ended last season on loan with Stockport County, is one of several young players who showed promise in the youth setup but is being released this summer.
Dixon earned a reputation for his attacking surges from full back and his development through the academy led to him being used at the start of the 2024/25 season. With Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman injured, Dyche was left with few options for the trip to Spurs when Ashley Young was sent off in the opening day defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The expectation had been that Mason Holgate, who had he previously turned to as right back cover, would start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but Dyche instead promoted Dixon.
Everton lost that game 4-0 but Dixon initially stayed with the first team and came off the bench in the home win over Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup - by which time Coleman had returned.
He suffered an injury-hit campaign last season, with a serious injury ending plans to move on loan to Stockport at the start of the season. He did recover to then move to Edgeley Park in January, making seven appearances as Stockport missed out on promotion to the Championship by losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final.
Everton confirmed Dixon would not be offered an extension earlier this month and the former England Under-20 international has now sought to thank the club for a decade of support. He wrote on Instagram: “After 10 unforgettable years, the time has come to move on. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, the staff, coaches, medical team, my teammates, and especially the fans. Your support has never gone unnoticed. It’s been an incredible chapter that I’ll always be proud of. Thank you.”
Dixon is one of several players set to leave the academy after offering glimpses of promise. They include Tyler Onyango and Reece Welch, who also made first team appearances. Frankie Okoronkwo, who was a high-profile signing from Sunderland at the age of 16, has signed for League One side Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal. The 21-year-old, also released, spent part of last season on loan with the club before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury.