Tony Bellew, Goodison Park
(Credit: Imago)
Daniel Lewis
Sat 17 May 2025 15:06, UK
Tony Bellew was one of the first to react to news of a major confirmed Everton player exit on Saturday.
Everton will play their final match at Goodison Park on Sunday, with already-relegated Southampton the opponents.
Then comes the final game of the season away at Newcastle United seven days later.
It will be a hugely emotional occasion at Goodison Park on 18 May, and for more reason than one as three players are set to say farewell.
Goodison Park will stage one final Everton home game (Credit: Imago)
Everton confirm Ashley Young exit
As is customary, Everton confirmed which players are set to depart ahead of the season finishing in order for them to say their farewells.
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Ashley Young is one of three out-of-contract players who will not be staying on, along with goalkeeping pair Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia.
Young
Premier League apps 61
Apps in all competitions 7
Overall apps 68
Young’s record for Everton
While Begovic and Virginia have been squad players at best during their years on Merseyside, Young has accrued 68 appearances over the past couple of seasons.
Everton announced Young’s imminent exit in a post on Instagram (17 May), with Bellew commenting minutes later with a couple of clapping hands emojis and a blue love heart.
Ashley Young
Credit: Everton via Instagram
Everton fans braced for emotional Goodison farewell
Young will be given a brilliant reception by Everton supporters, as of course will Virginia and Begovic for their service to the Merseyside club.
Above all, though, Sunday is about saying goodbye to Goodison Park. For the men’s senior team, at least, given the women are set to play games their.
Goodison Park has been the only stadium supporters have known, regardless of how old they are, and it will be a day of tears.
The result is secondary in the grand scheme of things – nobody will truly remember the match 10 years from now – but that is not to say the scoreline does not matter.
David Moyes already has one eye on next season and it is important Everton make it back-to-back wins heading into their final game.
So often momentum can carry from one season into the other, and that is the big aim now for Moyes over the next week.
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