Former Everton midfielder Andre Gomes, who joined the club for £22 million from Barcelona, marked his 33rd birthday today with a touching farewell message to the club's supporters. The Portugal international, now playing for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, struggled to replicate his early form after a serious ankle injury in November 2019, but he left a lasting impression with his class both on and off the pitch.
Gomes' career and Everton stint
Gomes was signed by compatriot Marco Silva and made 114 appearances for the Blues, scoring four goals. His final goal was the winner against Crystal Palace in an FA Cup third-round replay during a run when Sean Dyche's side failed to win in the Premier League from Christmas to beyond Easter. After recovering from the injury caused by a challenge from Tottenham's Son Heung-min, he moved on to Lille before joining Columbus Crew.
Heartfelt farewell video
In June 2024, Gomes released a video message to Evertonians, expressing his gratitude. He said: "Dear Evertonians, I'm doing this video for you as a message of gratitude for all the time we spent together. The last few weeks were tough either for me and for my family. My time with the blue shirt came to an end. But I have to tell you how proud I am for all these years."
He added: "This club is full of history, with big moments, but also with difficult situations that should make us learn from that. But both situations have one thing in common: your passion for this wonderful football club. The love, the relentless fighting spirit, the hard work. For me, there is another word that defines how special you are: Family."
Gomes also recalled a 'hug-a-thon' at Goodison Park in January 2019 to raise funds for Everton in the Community, and said his child now sings Everton songs. He concluded: "Thank you family. Always in my heart."
