England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to leave Everton on free transfer

By SABC Sport
29th June 2025

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has announced he will leave Everton when his contract expires on Monday, bringing an end to a nine-year spell at Goodison Park.

The 28-year-old striker, who joined the Toffees from Sheffield United for 1.5 million pounds in 2016, confirmed his decision in a statement on social media, calling it an "incredibly difficult" choice made in consultation with his family.

"Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It's the place that saw potential in me, challenged me to grow and shaped me both as a footballer and as a man," Calvert-Lewin wrote on Instagram. "We believe it's the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn't lessen the bond I'll always have with Everton."

Calvert-Lewin made 273 appearances for the Merseyside club, scoring 71 goals. His breakout campaign came in 2020-21, when he netted 16 times in 33 Premier League games and earned a place in the England squad that went on to reach the Euro 2020 final. However, injuries and inconsistency hampered his progress in subsequent seasons, limiting his impact and international involvement. He has not added to his 11 England caps or four goals since 2021.

Despite those struggles, Calvert-Lewin remained a central figure at Everton, particularly during a turbulent recent period in the club's history. Speaking to BBC Sport last month, he described the last three seasons as "the most difficult" in Everton's Premier League era, but said he took pride in having "led the line through it."

The striker's departure leaves a significant gap in Everton's attack as the club prepares to move into its new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025-26 season. The Toffees have been linked with a number of attacking options this summer, including Villarreal's 22-year-old French forward Thierno Barry.

Calvert-Lewin concluded his farewell message by thanking the club's staff, fans, and his teammates: "I'm deeply proud of what we've shared - fighting for this club when it mattered most, scoring big goals in crucial moments, wearing the shirt with commitment and pride. My hope is that I leave with your respect."