Three Youngsters Sign First Everton Professional Contracts

07/07/2024 02:00 AM

A trio of the very brightest prospects commit to the Blues

Harrison Armstrong became the first of what is likely to be several scholars to make the leap into full time professional football with Everton this week, signing a contract until June 2027. Although he only turned 17 last January, he can expect to be heavily involved with Paul Tait's Under 21 set up this coming season.

My personal opinion, having seen him play many times, is that he is one of the most promising players to emerge in a few years. He is helped by his size, strength and "engine". It's natural to compare him to the very talented recent Blues' Under 21 player Isaac Price who is now making a successful career in Belgium and for Northern Ireland. They both play in very similar spaces and in a similar style. Price, for all his undoubted quality on the ball was, in my opinion, physically less cut out for the battles in the midfield of an English Premiership game than Armstrong. Getting in and around the first team should be the longer term aim for Harrison who is a true box to box midfielder.

Another potential star of the future Bradley Moonan (see below) also signed his first professional contract until June 2026 on Friday.

I have seen Moonan develop well over the last 18 months. He is a right footed centre back who has a real calm about him on the ball and reads the game like a senior professional. He likes to get his foot in early and intercept the ball, a little like a young James Tarkowski or a latter-day Phil Jagielka. That would be the nearest and very flattering comparison I could make at this stage in his development. He's not a giant by any means but a good 6' tall and able to more than hold his own in aerial combat. He is a certainty to be involved in Paul Tait's Under 21s this season having already made a few appearances as a 16 year old.

To complete a hat-trick of signings for the future, young Welsh youth international striker George Morgan also penned his first professional contract till June 2026. I have seen enough of him to know that he is a very different striker to the other young prospects we have like Martin Sherif, Francis Okoronkwo, Coby Ebere and new signing (fellow Welsh youth international) from Arsenal Omari Benjamin. It is pleasing that there is a real variety in styles.

Morgan likes to link play in and around the penalty area and arrives in good goalscoring positions often from a little deeper in the field. A touch maybe of fellow Welsh legend and one-time Everton player Mark Hughes about him. No pressure!

In his own words, young Morgan talks below about his development which has suffered the odd stall due to injury but he's now ready to show everybody his talent.

Good luck to all the new professionals, congratulations!