Roman Dixon is set to depart Everton after coming through the club’s academy and making his senior debut for the Toffees.
The 21-year-old is preparing to move on following a decade of development at Finch Farm, which culminated in a Premier League start under Sean Dyche at Tottenham Hotspur. However, injuries disrupted his progress and prevented him from building on that breakthrough.
The right-back, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Stockport County, is among several promising academy graduates being released by the club this summer.
Dixon gained a reputation for his energetic forward runs from full-back, and his rise through the ranks saw him thrust into first-team action early in the 2024/25 season. With Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman both injured, and Ashley Young sent off on the opening day against Brighton, Dyche was left short of options for the trip to Spurs.
Many expected Mason Holgate to fill in at right-back, but Dyche instead handed Dixon his full Premier League debut. Everton lost that match 4-0, though Dixon remained with the senior squad and later came off the bench in the Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers, by which time Coleman had returned.
Last season proved difficult for Dixon, as a serious injury delayed a planned loan move to Stockport at the start of the campaign. He eventually recovered and joined the League One side in January, making seven appearances as they fell short of promotion after losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final.
Everton confirmed earlier this month that Dixon would not be offered a new contract. The former England Under-20 international has since taken to social media to express his gratitude for the club’s support over the years.
In an Instagram post, he wrote: “After 10 unforgettable years, the time has come to move on. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, the staff, coaches, medical team, my teammates, and especially the fans. Your support has never gone unnoticed. It’s been an incredible chapter that I’ll always be proud of. Thank you.”
Dixon is one of a number of academy products departing this summer, including Tyler Onyango and Reece Welch, who also featured for the first team.
Frankie Okoronkwo—a high-profile signing from Sunderland at 16—has already agreed a two-year deal with League One side Doncaster Rovers. The 21-year-old, also released by Everton, spent part of last season on loan with Doncaster before a hamstring injury cut his campaign short.
