Seamus Coleman has announced that he will leave Everton at the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland International, who joined the Merseyside club in January 2009 from Sligo Rovers, announced this news via the club's YouTube channel yesterday.
"Hi Evertonians, just a message to say that after over 17 years at this amazing football club, this year will be my last as a player", Coleman said in his message.
Regarding his future, Seamus Coleman said he has no plans to retire, and intends to play for Ireland in their upcoming Summer friendlies against Qatar and Canada before he decides what to do next.
"I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what's next, for me and for my family," Coleman said.
"Obviously, my love for Everton is something you all know about and I have a huge love for Ireland as well", he continued. "I'm going to take some time over the summer, play the Ireland games and take some time with my family to decide what's next".
"The club have been unbelievable with me. They've offered me an opportunity to stay on with the football club. The manager has been great, the staff have been great".
"It's such an important decision over my future. I'm going to take a nice long holiday with my family and look back on what has been an amazing time as an Everton footballer".
"This will always be my club. Thank you for letting me be part of it for more than 17 years".
Speaking about this, Everton manager, David Moyes said that that the club offered him "every job there is" to keep him at the Toffees.
"We've offered Seamus every job there is: from groundsman to assistant, you name it he's had every opportunity," said Moyes. "But the thing I admire about Seamus is he wants to keep playing, he wants to keep playing for his country.
"He has a couple of friendly games coming up during the summer time which he wants to keep ready for and he's in good physical condition and I admire him for it because he wants to do it".
"It would be easy for him to just to say, 'I've settled down and I'm not going to do it", he added. "There will always be a desk here for him when his time comes, I have no doubt about that".
Having signed for the club from Sligo Rovers in 2009, Seamus Coleman has assured his place among the list of club legends, winning Everton's Player of the Season award in 2013/14, as well as being included in the PFA Team of the Year in that same season.
Coleman also played a key role in the Republic of Ireland reaching the last 16 of Euro 2016, as well as his country's wins over Portugal and Hungary last November. He also played on until extra time in the World Cup qualification play off semi final against Czechia in March.
