Sam Byrne signs a one-year extension

Tuesday, 18 July, 2017 6comments | Jump to most recent

Injury-hit Under-23s forward, Sam Byrne, has signed a one-year contract extension with the Club which will run until the end of June 2018.

Byrne, 21, suffered a broken leg in the early part of 2016 and, after a long road to recovery, struggled with a hamstring problem during the latter stages of last season. Byrne says a new one-year contract at Everton has given him a “big boost” after after his injury struggles over the last couple of seasons.

Now back fit, the Republic of Ireland youth international is currently with the U23s on their training camp in Spain and is determined to impress in pre-season.

“Last season was stop-start for me – now I'm ready to go again,” Byrne told evertonfc.com. “There were a couple of little hamstring niggles which I kind of expected after coming back from such a long time out. But I feel good now and I'm looking forward to all the training.

“I've been out for a long time and now I'm trying to impress David Unsworth and all the staff. I'm going to try and do my best. This contract has given me a big boost, so I'm looking forward to getting going.

“It should be good to get some game-time in before the season starts, especially for me because I need it.”

Reader Comments (6)

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Stephen Ashton
1 Posted 18/07/2017 at 17:41:49

Don't quite understand why Sam merits a one-year deal, yet Courtney, who on the face of it, is way ahead in terms of development is allowed to leave.

Strange call.

David Pearl
2 Posted 18/07/2017 at 17:49:04

Perhaps to see if he can develop further now if he's fit again. He's probably not on £60 grand a week either.

Peter Gorman
3 Posted 18/07/2017 at 18:26:36

Like Duffus, he has been given a chance to prove himself after injury. Like Duffus, he will probably go at the end of the deal.

You say it is a strange call but actually it is the club looking out for these young men. Once he is fully fit, he'll probably have another professional club interested, which wouldn't be nearly as likely if he was released now.

Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 18/07/2017 at 18:34:52

Good points, Peter. The number of young players sustaining long-term injuries in the Academy (is it still called that? Or should I say "at USM Finch Farm"???) seems rather high.

Is it just the norm that players with us for 4, 5, 6 or more seasons below the first team will, sooner or later, suffer a major injury requiring 6 months to a year out of the game? Yet you are right: we seem to stick with them until they are back on their feet.

Stephen (#1) – Courtney's stats for the last five seasons have been less than impressive considering he's supposed to be a striker: Courtney Duffus Profile

Trevor McKinlay
5 Posted 18/07/2017 at 19:39:22

There may be an element of asset protection in the contract offer too. Duffus only signed his new one-year deal a few weeks ago. I'd imagine if an offer came in for Byrne this window he'd be let go. Sambou and Onyekuru are far better prospects. Jury's still out on the rest.

Kieran Kinsella
6 Posted 19/07/2017 at 01:41:34

Jose Baxter. What's going on with him?

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