Con Ouzounidis signs first professional contract

Wednesday, 11 July, 2018 14comments | Jump to most recent

Svatopluk Samner

Con Ouzounidis says signing his first professional contract with Everton is a dream come true.

The Under-23s centre-half became the latest of the Blues' crop of youngsters to be awarded their first terms when he put pen to paper on a one-year deal today.

The Australian U18 youth international started last season in Everton's U18s squad but has graduated to the U23s by late winter, establishing himself in David Unsworth's team.

“For anyone who is aspiring to become a professional footballer, to sign your first professional contract is a dream come true,” Ouzounidis said on Everton's official website.

“I feel like I've came on a lot over the past year. I got injured, which was a blow, but I was in the gym a lot with the physio so that helped me develop physically. Coaches like [Under-18s boss] Paul Tait and Unsy in the Under-23s have helped me out a lot, too.

“Unsy used to be a centre-half and he's been there and done it for the first team, so he knows what it takes to get there. I just have to take what he says on board and put it into my game.

“He always manages to get the best out of his players, he pushes you because he wants more and wants you to succeed. He wants to help me become the best defender I can be.

“The players are all pushing each other on to do well, too. We're one big group. Everyone gets on well with everyone.

“It's important that we all get on. It's good for team spirit and, when we're on the pitch, we're all fighting for each other. Everyone wants the best for each other.”

Reader Comments (14)

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Steve Ferns
1 Posted 11/07/2018 at 16:19:01

He looks very good, a solid partnership with Feeney. Expect big things.

I note he's away at the moment, with the u23s. It seems like the club is dripping the new deals out one by one to give each player their day in the spotlight. Fair play, they deserve it.

Paul Kossoff
2 Posted 11/07/2018 at 17:40:32

Yes, very nice for the lad, but we have a month to buy a few players to go straight in to the first team squad; the teams not strong enough to compete for a top seven. Other sides are gearing up for the season, West Ham are obviously trying to get a top seven finish. These lads getting contracts will not even be considered for the first team, bloody smoke screens again from Kenwright and his cronies.

Brent Stephens
3 Posted 11/07/2018 at 17:45:17

Good on the lad.

Doesn't stop the usual, predicatble negativity.

Derek Knox
4 Posted 11/07/2018 at 18:20:34

I have seen this lad play a few times, he has all the makings of an excellent centre-back. Let's hope he continues his development, and maybe gets a chance to step up.

Jon Withey
5 Posted 11/07/2018 at 18:30:26

Great, seems like we have a few potential centre-backs including Feeney, Foulds, Gibson and Con.

Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 11/07/2018 at 18:35:01

The lad is an Australian U18 international, on the Everton website it doesn't say when he joined the club or how long he has been in this country. If he has come over from Australia in the last couple of years, maybe through the scouting system it would tell you a lot about the lads ambition. Has he come over from Tim Cahill's soccer school, it would be nice to know a bit of the lad's background.

Anyway, whatever his previous history is, I wish him well at Everton and progresses into a good player.

John Dean
8 Posted 11/07/2018 at 18:56:09

He's easily spotted on the field and plays in a different style to the other young centre backs. He doesn't have the poise of Gibson or the security for 1 v 1 situations guaranteed by Feeley; he commits to the tackle early. But he's so strong and dominant and I'd much rather he was in my team than their's.

Steve Ferns
9 Posted 11/07/2018 at 22:14:02

Dave. He signed for Everton at 11. He grew up in Sydney. I'm unsure if he was brought over to get a club, or if Everton actually scouted him in Australia.

Dave Abrahams
10 Posted 11/07/2018 at 22:18:27

Steve (9), thanks for that information. You'd think Everton FC would give a few more details about the lad now he has turned professional for us.

Steve Ferns
11 Posted 11/07/2018 at 22:23:41

No problem, Dave; hope to see you Sunday.

Victor Yu
12 Posted 12/07/2018 at 03:43:44

Inspired by Tim Cahill?

Tony Everan
13 Posted 12/07/2018 at 15:52:40

Congratulations to Con on getting his contract.

He is in good hands with Dave Unsworth and maybe one day, with hard graft and continued development, can be a successful first team player. Best of luck.

Steve Hogan
14 Posted 12/07/2018 at 20:52:20

Some background information on the lad. Lives with his family not far away from me in Frodsham Cheshire. As some poster's have said, been on Everton's books since he was 11 years old.

The whole family moved to the UK from Australia around 8 years ago to have the best possible chance of making it as a footballer in the UK. Not sure how Everton came to hear about him, or whether he simply wrote to the club for a trial. Like a lot of youngster's, has devoted all his young adult life to making it as a pro.

Good luck to him.

Dave Abrahams
15 Posted 14/07/2018 at 09:22:41

Steve (14) just read your post this morning, thanks very much for that information.

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