Justin Clarke signs a 3-year professional deal | OneFootball

Everton have made a statement of faith in one of the more exciting Academy prospects to come through in recent years, with Justin Clarke getting a 3-year deal as his first professional contract.

The young winger joined Everton Academy from Wimbledon in September 2024  as a first-year scholar with the U18s. He was the Wombles’youngest-ever player when he made his senior debut aged 15 in November 2023.

He had a very good season with the U18s last season, scoroing 10 goals in 16 league games, that saw him training with the first team in the summer and getting playing time in pre-season friendlies against Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers, but only warming the bench on the Premier League Summer Series tour after travelling with the team to the USA.

I am really glad to see this lad get a decent contract. I think he shows real promise.

The short contracts given to Academy players previously is part of the reason why we can't charge a decent fee for them when they (almost inevitably) leave.

A lot of the latest set of youngsters have been given 2- and 3- year contracts so I assume this is a positive move by TFG and perhaps the new CEO? Plus the recruitment and retention team.