Promising young Everton defender Matthew Mallon has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Mallon has penned a two-year deal until the end of June 2024. Born in West Derby, the 18-year-old joined the Blues’ academy aged four and is relishing the chance to pursue his ultimate aim of first-team football at his boyhood club after captaining the under-18s and having also made a handful appearances for the under-21s.
"It's a massive boost to get everything signed," Mallon told evertonfc.com. "It means so much for me and my family.
READ MORE: James Tarkowski hails Everton fans as transfer is confirmed
READ MORE: Farhad Moshiri and Peter Kenyon consortium at odds as confusion continues
"To know it's done and that I'm secure for the next two years is a great feeling. During last season, it looked like I was going to leave but the club wanted to keep me and it's every boy's dream to play for a club like Everton, so I'm pleased to get it sorted.
"Everton is like home to me. I've been here for such a long time. I enjoy being around the lads here, I enjoy the environment - to be able to be at a top club, like I am, and to be happy, like I am, is what you dream about."
The signing of his professional deal marks a remarkable few months for Mallon after he was expected to leave the club. The right-back had not turned out for the under-18s since February, after captaining the team on numerous occasions earlier in the season, and the choice was made to let him go before his scholarship ran out at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Mallon had a move to Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers lined-up for when he could officially sign on the dotted line in July and he took to Instagram in April to share his thanks for Everton for his time working his way through the academy ranks.
However, with a deal in place to be signed at Ewood Park upon the expiry of his Blues contract, the new regime at Finch Farm saw fit to get back in touch with Mallon. The ECHO understands talks took place in April between his representatives and academy personnel - with the club's new director of football Kevin Thelwell understood to have played an important role.
Thelwell's appointment, along with sweeping changes that have been introduced across the academy in recent weeks and months, are understood to have been crucial in a changing attitude toward the player's future.
Mallon will be now reunited with new under-21s head coach Paul Tait, who has been promoted from his under-18s role as part of the academy restructure.
Mallon said: “When I heard Taity was becoming the under-21s head coach it put a massive smile on my face, because I've been with him for the past two years and we have a very good relationship.
"Before working with him, I was very much in my shell but he's worked a lot with me and I feel far more confident as a player - and as a person - having worked with him. He's developed me so much as a player, too. He's spent lots of time with me on areas to improve and always gave me that confidence that I had the ability in me.
"I think he's a great coach and he's going to be really good for the role because all of the lads want to work hard for him and respect him. He's fair with how he treats everyone and he picks up on exactly what a group needs.”
Director of football Thelwell, added: "We're delighted to have agreed Mathew's first professional contract with the club.
"He has a strong mix of strengths that are needed in the modern-day full-back and we look forward to him continuing his progression on the next chapter of his journey."
READ NEXT
