On May 15th, Everton officially announced that team captain Coleman will leave the team after the season.
Everton Official Announcement:
Coleman, one of the greatest players and captains in the club's history, has announced that his illustrious career of over 17 years at the club will end next month when his contract expires.
He was brought to Everton in January 2009 by Moyes from Sligo Rovers for a low price of £60,000, and he will now use the summer to decide his next steps, with options to either take on a coaching role at Everton or continue playing for another club.
Coleman is an iconic figure in modern Everton, loved by fans, teammates, and staff alike, and highly praised for his leadership and attitude on and off the pitch. He holds the club's record for most Premier League appearances, with 372 matches played.
If he plays his final home game for the Toffees against Sunderland on Sunday, his total appearances across all competitions will reach 434, surpassing Dixie Dean and Leon Osman to move up to 10th place on Everton's all-time appearance list.
In an interview with Everton's official media, Coleman said: "After more than 17 years at this great football club, I have decided that this season will be my last as a player here, and I want to thank the fans for their incredible support."
"The help you have given me has far exceeded my imagination, and I have always tried my best to put Everton Football Club first. You mean so much to me, I live in this city – I see you every day – and I take your love for the club back to the changing room, explaining to my teammates how important Everton is to people."
"I also want to thank my coaches, teammates, and all the staff at Everton. They have witnessed my joy, sadness, anger, and emotional fluctuations, but the most important thing has always been Everton Football Club. Thank you for making me a better captain and teammate. This is a great football club with outstanding talent."
"Obviously, after making such a big decision, I want to use the summer to think carefully about my and my family's next steps. You all know my love for Everton – and I also love Ireland very much."
"The club has been very good to me, they have given me the opportunity to stay at the club, and the manager and staff are excellent. I think this is about my future, a very important decision, so I plan to enjoy a long holiday and look back at this wonderful time as an Everton player."
"I came here from Sligo Rovers when I was 20, joining the club's reserve team, and all I hoped for was to perform well and make it onto the first-team bench. To think that I later became Everton's most capped player in the Premier League and captain of this great club – it's beyond my wildest dreams."
"This will always be my football club. I am grateful that I have been here for so long, and I can say that I have a team that I will support for life. My family, both here and in Ireland, are lifelong Everton fans. This is special because I know that in the years to come, we will continue to support Everton."
"This will always be my club. Thank you for letting me be a part of it for over 17 years."