Coleman announces an end to Everton playing career

Seamus Coleman has confirmed that he is finishing his Everton playing career at the end of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international, who has clocked up 433 appearances for Everton since joining from Sligo Rovers in 2009, made the announcement on the club's Youtube channel this morning.

"Hi Evertonians, just a message to say that after over 17 years at this amazing football club, this year will be my last as a player," Coleman said in his message.

Coleman did not say he was retiring from the game, though he disclosed that Everton had offered him the opportunity to remain at the club in a coaching capacity.

The 37-year old said he intended to play for Ireland in the upcoming summer friendlies before deciding what to do next.

"I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what's next, for me and for my family," Coleman said.

"Obviously, my love for Everton is something you all know about and I have a huge love for Ireland as well.

"I'm going to take some time over the summer, play the Ireland games and take some time with my family to decide what's next.

"The club have been unbelievable with me. They've offered me an opportunity to stay on with the football club. The manager has been great, the staff have been great.

"It's such an important decision over my future. I'm going to take a nice long holiday with my family and look back on what has been an amazing time as an Everton footballer.

"This will always be my club. Thank you for letting me be part of it for more than 17 years."

Coleman had signed a one-year deal to remain on as a player at the end of last season, though made just three appearances in the Premier League in the 2025-26 campaign, the last of which occurred in the 1-0 win away to Manchester United in November, when he went off injured after just 10 minutes.

Prior to that, the full-back had made a stunning return to the international set-up having been initially excluded from the September window, in which Ireland were beaten 2-1 in Armenia.

The Donegal full-back, a veteran of Euro 2016, played a pivotal role in Ireland's wins over Portugal and Hungary last November and then played on until extra-time in the World Cup qualification play-off semi-final against Czechia in March.

Joining Everton as a 20-year old from Sligo Rovers in January 2009, Coleman went onto become a club legend, winning the club's player of the season award in 2013-14 and earning inclusion on the PFA Team of the Year the same season.

In January 2025, he briefly served as interim player-manager, alongside Leighton Baines in the dugout, in the wake of Sean Dyche's sacking, with Everton beating Peterborough United 2-0 in the FA Cup in his sole game in the role.