Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has labelled departing defender Phil Jagielka as one of the club’s “greatest ever servants”.
The centre-back announced on Instagram on Tuesday that he is to leave Goodison Park at the end of the month after making 385 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.
Speaking in a statement on the club’s official website, Kenwright added that Jagielka has had a fantastic influence on the club and its supporters.
“‘Jags’ is quite simply one of our greatest ever servants,” the chairman said. “From the day he joined us in July 2007, he has epitomised what it is to be an Evertonian and will remain someone who embodies the spirit and values of the Blues.
“Who will ever forget that momentous afternoon at Wembley when he stepped up and slotted home the penalty to send us to the Cup final, or the day he scored one of the best Merseyside Derby goals of all time?
“And, of course, every Evertonian shared his pride when he became the first Everton player to lead out an England side back in 2015.
“As our captain and leader he has been a role model for the younger players coming through our ranks. Off the field he has always been a truly fantastic ambassador for our Club and a great supporter of our Charity.
“I know I speak for all Evertonians when I send ‘Jags’ our heartfelt thanks for everything he has done for our Club, on and off the pitch, and wish him well for the future.”
OPINION
Kenwright is correct: Jagielka has been a great servant for Everton. Not only has he been a fantastic leader on the pitch, but he has done that off it too. He has been an Evertonian for that long – 11 years in fact – that it will feel strange for some Everton fans not to see him around the first team from next season. Not only will he be missed by Everton fans, but he will also be missed by the Premier League too. At least he crowned his final season with some important goals for Marco Silva’s side, such as the one he scored against Arsenal at Goodison Park and, despite him only playing seven Premier League games out of 38 under Silva last season, he will nevertheless be grateful for the opportunities he got. What Jagielka will do now is obviously up in the air, but there is no doubt he would be welcomed back to Everton in some role or another with open arms.