Everton Scholars Announced | Leighton Baines' class of '24 arrives

07/04/2024 10:19 AM

Twelve new full time scholars join including a few with senior experience

Twelve young hopefuls walked through the gates of Finch Farm this week for the first time as official scholars of Everton Football Club.

Grouping them into their positions on the field they are:

GOALKEEPERS

Douglass Lukjanciks and Goodness Gospel-Eze

DEFENDERS

Freddie Freedman (centre back), Rocco Lambert (right back) and Louis Poland (left back)

MIDFIELDERS

Ademide Akarakari (attacking midfield), Luis Gardner (centre midfield) and Melvin Matos (defensive midfield)

FORWARDS

Braiden Graham (striker), Ceiran Loney (centre forward), Charlie Stewart (right wing) and Kean Wren (left wing)

As you can see, the recruits occupy every position on the pitch and the importance of bringing in as many good goalkeeping prospects as possible has always been a positive feature at Everton Academy.

That's indeed a good place to start to review who we have taken on as Lukjanciks had (reportedly) been on the radar of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Southampton within the last few months. The England Under-17 international (the surname is from his Latvian descent) has clearly created a good impression. With Everton also having the England Under-18 goalkeeper (George Pickford), the goalkeeping future of the club truly does look like it is in safe hands! It's a real victory for the Toffees to have convinced the promising 'keeper that he is in the best place for his development when, in reality, they could have lost him at this vital recruitment stage.

Obviously, some of these players have not really featured in official highlights footage from the Blues but I have seen a few of the boys in action for the Under 18s already.

In particular, Rocco Lambert looks a fine attacking right back in a similar vein to Roman Dixon who renewed terms with the club last week. His piercing runs towards the opposition box and good delivery are really promising. Kean Wren also has played several games at that level and not looked out of place despite being very junior.

One unmistakable recruit is our new signing from Northern Ireland club Linfield, flame-haired Braiden Graham. He made his league debut for Linfield aged just 15 years and 137 days. Already a Northern Ireland Under 17 player, he featured in 9 games for the first team, obviously, in senior men's football. He looks a fine attacking prospect as you can see by his opportunistic goal in the link below:

Another name that the Blues have done well to recruit is Scottish centre forward Ceiran Loney who, despite being just 16 years old, made his debut in the Scottish Championship for Partick Thistle this year. As we all know Evertonians do like a Scottish centre forward or two (Graeme Sharp and a certain guy called Ferguson). See in the link below if this headed goal by a 6ft 3 inch 16 year old reminds you of anybody!!!! No prizes for that one.

Good luck to all our new recruits!