Simone Magill to leave Everton after nine years with the Toffees
By Ali Rampling
Simone Magill will leave Everton when her contract expires in June, bringing an end to her nine years with the club.
Magill joined the Toffees from Mid-Ulster in her native Northern Ireland in 2013, and made history in 2017 when she put pen to paper on her first professional contract with the club, becoming the first female Northern Ireland international to sign a full-time professional deal.
The 27-year-old helped Everton to promotion back to the top flight in 2017, and featured in FA Cup finals for the Toffees in 2014 and 2020.
“It’s never an easy decision,” Magill said. “I’ve been here for nine years. To say I’m emotional is an understatement. I’ve grown to love the club, the fans, the people and what it stands for.
“To leave this club will be very sad. Everton is filled with fantastic people. I wish the club all the best and I have no doubt our paths will cross again sometime in the future.
“I just loved to be a part of Everton and I’m so proud to represent the club and what it stands for. The work they do in the wider community, I’m so passionate about that as well. To be attached to a club like that is a huge reason why I’ve stayed as long as I have."
A memorable summer is in store for Magill, with the forward set to represent Northern Ireland at Euro 2022 in July - the very first major tournament that the team have qualified for.
An interesting summer should also be in store for Everton as they begin life under new boss Brian Sorensen. The 41-year-old will take charge of the club ahead of the 2022/23 season, having been named as Jean-Luc Vasseur's permanent replacement.