The 10 players leaving Everton today as new Dele update shared

Andre Gomes is the highest-profile departure from the group of players whose contracts with Everton formally end on Sunday

Ten players are now set to officially leave Everton following the end of the football year.

Andre Gomes is the most high-profile set to formally depart with the midfielder’s six year stay on Merseyside concluding with the expiration of his contract.

Among those also saying their goodbyes will be players who were regulars in Sean Dyche’s matchday squads as well as academy starlets who will now be seeking to continue their development away from Finch Farm.

Gomes made 100 Premier League appearances in Royal Blue, initially joining on loan from Barcelona before Everton later moved to sign him on a permanent deal worth £22m. Injuries blighted his efforts at Goodison Park, most notably the horrific ankle injury suffered against Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, but after a season on loan in France he returned to have a greater impact at Everton under Sean Dyche than was originally expected when last season began. Gomes made his first competitive appearance under the Blues boss as an early substitute in the defeat at Spurs just before Christmas. He entered the fray with Everton 2-0 down but changed the game, creating a goal that was controversially ruled out and later scoring to give his side hope of a comeback. Weeks later he scored the free-kick that enabled Everton to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup through a replay victory over Crystal Palace.

The 30-year-old wrote a heartfelt message to Blues supporters upon confirmation of his exit, stating: “My time with the blue shirt came to an end. But I have to tell you how proud I am for all these years. 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. Going through ups and downs, emotions and amazing atmospheres, you never gave up on us. You never give up on the person next to you, and that is what community is all about. There are no words to describe the impact you have on helping others. I am very fortunate and thankful for all the experiences and moments we shared together.”

Veteran goalkeeper Andy Lonergan is also leaving Everton. He did not make a competitive appearance for the club but was repeatedly hailed for being a key component of a strong goalkeeping unit that gave Jordan Pickford the opportunity to improve. The 40-year-old will now join Wigan Athletic as a player-coach. Lewis Warrington, a popular midfielder who completed his rise from the Goodison stands to a Premier League player when he was brought off the bench against Sheffield United in May, will also leave the club he joined as a schoolboy, as will Mackenzie Hunt – another academy product who repeatedly made Dyche’s Premier League bench last season.

Other academy prospects set to leave are Katia Kouyate, who impressed with his goalscoring display against Stade Nyonnais in pre-season last year and is set to join League Two side Barrow, while fellow Under-21s Kyle John, Ed Jones and Dylan Graham will also depart. Goalkeeper Sebastian Jensen and defender Danny Maher will leave the club’s U18s set-up.

While those players will say their goodbyes, some others will remain at Finch Farm beyond the end of their contracts. Dele is set to continue his rehabilitation from injury with the club – and has shared footage online of himself back in training – , as are Sean McAllister, who ended last season on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and Liam Higgins.