Beto bids farewell in new message as Everton exit confirmed
Everton’s final Premier League match at Goodison Park will also be the last for several members of David Moyes’ squad.
The Toffees said goodbye to their Grand Old Lady with a routine 2-0 win over Southampton on Sunday, as Iliman Ndiaye‘s first-half brace opened up a comfortable advantage which sealed the points early on.
Goodison Park‘s farewell won’t see the stadium cast straight into the history books after it was confirmed that Everton Women will move to Gladwys Street next season, but the men’s side is set for pastures new.
Everton’s move across Liverpool to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock coincides with a number of players’ contracts expiring this summer, and several departures have already been confirmed.
Joao Virginia receives one-word Beto message at Everton
With eight senior players out of contract and a further five loanees all currently in line to return to their parent clubs, the Everton exit door is already open with Ashley Young one of three players set to leave.
Young could yet be joined by the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure after his emotional withdrawal against Southampton, but Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia’s departures have also been confirmed by Everton.
| Everton | Statistics | Southampton |
| 2 | Goals | 0 |
| 2.39 | xG | 1.16 |
| 5 / 13 | Shots on Target | 2 / 6 |
| 50% | Possession | 50% |
| 4 | Corners | 5 |
The latter goalkeeper may have only featured in eight first-team matches since his arrival at Goodison in 2018, but posted on Instagram (18 May) with a message which read: “Goodison Park has been more than just a stadium, it’s been a second home and I will forever miss the feeling of playing here.”
Everton‘s official Instagram account responded to say; “We’ll miss you, Joao”, while Toffees striker Beto added a one-word message which included a crying emoji, to show his sadness at Virginia’s exit.
Beto said: “Zuka” – Virginia’s likely nickname at Finch Farm.
Everton exits to continue as Beto transfer lined up
Young, Begovic and Virginia’s confirmed departures will be the first of several to come on Merseyside this summer, and fans speculated if Seamus Coleman’s cameo was the last they’ll see of him at Everton.
Everton won’t just clear room in the squad by allowing players to leave for free though, as ex-Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that newly-promoted Leeds United are in the hunt to sign Beto.
The Toffees will be hesitant to lose their top scorer without bringing in ample firepower to replace Beto, but with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap now a top target for David Moyes, Evertonians may be willing to take the hit if it means an improved summer transfer kitty.