‘Complicated situation’ – Everton announce three exits ahead of Goodison Park farewell

Everton have confirmed that Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia will leave at the end of their contracts.

The Toffees announced the departures with less than 24 hours until they played their final ever match at the iconic Goodison Park.

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Former Manchester United and Aston Villa defender Young is leaving after two seasons in Merseyside, where he’s made 68 appearances.

He became Everton’s oldest goalscorer ever in December in their 4-0 win over Wolves by netting at the age of 39 years and five months.

Begovic will depart the Toffees following his second stint at the club.

The goalkeeper was originally there from 2021 to 2023 before making his return last summer, but hasn’t added to his ten appearances.

Virginia left Arsenal for Everton in 2018 and has featured eight times for the club during his Goodison stay.

The Portugal U21 goalkeeper previously had three loan spells with Reading, Sporting Lisbon and SC Cambuur.

Everton manager David Moyes added clarity to the trio’s exits and hinted that there could more departures to follow.

“This is a complicated situation in many respects, with so many players out of contract this summer,” he said in a club statement.

“It’s important to me to speak with all of those players, individually, to give them clarity on their situations.

“Lots of factors influence our decision-making and we’re currently working through that process with the players, which takes time.

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“Some will have clarity by the end of this week, and for others it may get to next week, but it’s important it’s handled in the right way.

“We also have five players on loan and we will let them know their situations in due course.”

Everton host Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday, live on talkSPORT, as they bid farewell to Goodison Park.

It was set to be demolished, but the club have confirmed that it will become the permanent home for their women’s side.

The Toffees have called the stadium home since 1892 but will move to their new £800million venue at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool.

Everton announced on Friday that it will be named the Hill Dickinson Stadium after agreeing a naming rights deal with the law firm.