Everton have confirmed that youngster Con Ouzounidis has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 18-year-old has signed a one-year contract and is currently with the Under-23 side’s pre-season training camp in La Manga, Spain.
The club announced the news via their official Twitter account.
?? | A memorable moment for 18-year-old defender, @ConOuzounidis, who’s signed his first professional contract with the Club.
Congratulations, Con! ? #EFC
? https://t.co/MKdcmqaXCG pic.twitter.com/8sco6bbTWq
— Everton (@Everton) July 11, 2018
The Australian central defender made six appearances for the Under-23 side last season, also playing 12 times for the Under-18’s.
OPINION
Everton has an excellent track record of bringing talented youngsters through their academy system and into their first-team squad. Players like Tom Davies, Beni Baningime, Jonjoe Kenny, Ross Barkley, Jack Rodwell and of course, Wayne Rooney. That’s just a selection of the players who have made the breakthrough, with many others going on to have successful careers elsewhere. 18-year-old Con Ouzounidis will hope that he’s the next player to have been produced by the famous academy. However, that relies on the new manager Marco Silva and his willingness to play youngsters, where every single decision he makes will be scrutinised. He will be under pressure to get results, which means young players may have to wait for their opportunity. Or, if he’s brave, the young players may just force their way into the first-team squad. Everton is a club that historically, gives you players opportunities, Silva will have to carry that on if he wants to stay as manager for the long-term.