Tom Davies will pull on the Everton jersey again this evening, three years after leaving the club. The academy graduate will feature for the club's under-21s in their Premier League 2 clash against Wolves at Finch Farm (7pm kick-off).
Return to Finch Farm
Davies, who became the youngest captain in Everton's history when he skippered the club, aged 20, in a 2018 Carabao Cup tie, has been training with the U21s and supporting the young players while maintaining his own fitness.
The former England U21s international, now 28, has been without a club after leaving Sheffield United in the summer after three seasons at Bramall Lane.
In an effort to help him secure a professional contract elsewhere, Davies will now take his place in the U21s squad for tonight's encounter.
Academy Director Praises Influence
Everton academy director Dean Rastrick said: “Tom has been a brilliant influence with our young players since returning to the academy to build up his fitness. His advice, guidance and mentoring is invaluable for the boys.
“As Tom helps them, we are only too pleased to help him as he looks to find his next club to continue his playing career.”
Career at Everton
Davies joined the Blues' academy at the age of 11 and developed through the age groups before making his first-team debut aged 17 in April 2016.
A boyhood Blue, he went on to make 179 appearances for the club, scoring seven times, including his incredible first goal for the club, against Manchester City at Goodison Park.
Davies posted an emotional message on Instagram in June 2023 after he rejected a new contract offer to remain at Everton.
He said: "Evertonians - the time has come for me to move on to a new chapter in my career. It is one I have thought long and hard about and it feels like now is the right moment for me as a player.
"I always had belief that I would play for our club but I had no idea how beautiful and fulfilling it would be! I would like to thank the club, the city and the fans for making my dreams become such a beautiful reality for me!
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey, especially the coaches, staff and players in the academy who helped me, challenged me, and developed me into the player and human I am today - for this I can’t thank you all enough.
"I have had some great highs as a player and as a part of this club; scoring my first goal, becoming our youngest captain and playing in European competition. I am extremely proud of these accomplishments and with these experiences I am ready and determined to go on to achieve even more.
"I’d also like to thank Everton in the Community. It has been an honour to have been so involved with the work that you do. EitC has given me some amazing and humbling experiences during my years which I’ll take with me. I plan to continue my work with you.
Finally, I’d like to share that the recent times with the club have been difficult for me. I know they have been difficult for you too. I hope that they can be sorted out as soon as possible so that we can get back to the stability we deserve.
"I loved being apart of everything this club stands for. I am proud to have given all I had in every moment I could. Thank you all again…for everything. You have made a young lads dream come true! I’ll see you again at Goodison because I’ll always be an Evertonian!"
