The midfielder will leave Everton this summer after five years at the club
Abdoulaye Doucoure has confirmed his exit from Everton this summer via a video message from his social media accounts. The 32-year-old’s contract expires on June 30 after the Blues declined to take up their option to extend his current terms by a further 12 months.
Speaking in an interview with fan channel Toffee TV last week, Doucoure revealed he expected to be offered a new deal in the coming days, but many speculated that his time with the club might be coming to an end when he burst into tears when being substituted in the second half of the 2-0 win over Southampton in Goodison Park’s final Premier League fixture with what looked like a goodbye gesture.
Sharing a 98-second clip on his Instagram and X accounts, Doucoure said: “Hi Evertonians, I just wanted to share this message with you that I’m going to leave the football club at the end of the season. After five wonderful years, my time at Everton has come to an end.
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“When the opportunity came, I was very happy to sign for the club. My best memory will obviously be the goal I scored against Bournemouth to keep the club in the Premier League.
“I think this is something I’ll always be proud of. It was a wonderful moment for me and my family, and for the club as well.
“I will miss the fans, I will miss the football club. I just wanted them to know that I gave everything, every single time in training and in games.
“I was always proud to wear the shirt. I was always proud to play at Goodison Park.
“I gave everything to win as many games as I could. I will just miss the place and I wish them all the best in the new stadium.
“Everton will always be part of my life now. I will be forever a Blue, I will always be supporting Everton and I hope they are going to have a bright future.”
Doucoure joined Everton from Watford for £20million following the Hornets relegation from the Premier League in 2020 and has made 165 appearances for the Blues, netting 21 times. The club subsequently confirmed they had offered the Mali international a new contract but he has decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere and manager David Moyes said: “Doucs has been an influential player throughout his time at the club, including since I returned as manager, and Evertonians will always be grateful for his dedication and crucial goals.
“Everyone at Everton thanks Doucs for his service and wishes him all the best for the future.”
