30-year-old details ‘strange’ Everton transfer, admits he never expected to move to Goodison Park

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Everton have seen their fair share of players come and go over the past couple of years.

The change of management and ownership uncertainty hasn’t helped, with Sean Dyche eager to mould his squad his way during the 2023 summer window.

One player who only lasted a season at Goodison Park was Conor Coady. The 30-year-old is currently playing for high-flying Leicester City after completing a permanent move from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.

Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, the Liverpudlian has opened up on his time with Everton and insisted it was a move he didn’t see coming.

Conor Coady opens up on Everton transfer

On the transfer, Coady said: “When it came to my getting the opportunity to sign for Everton. The Everton one was strange because I never expected to leave Wolves, that was something I never expected to do, I loved my time there and was captain.

“I had been away with England and came back a bit later, and when I came back, I could feel something wasn’t right.

“I wasn’t playing with the team he was working at the time; Bruno Lage was the manager, and the World Cup was in December, and I was desperate to be in that squad.

“So I was thinking ahead: if I’m not in the team now and don’t start the season and get to the first international break, it will be hard.”

The 30-year-old was full of praise for his former club and insisted he loved his time on Merseyside.

“So it was a strange one that summer and I ended up moving. Wolves did what they did, and I got the opportunity to sign for Everton. It was brilliant, I loved it,” he added.

“People say to me now, how did you do that? You supported Liverpool. But I had played against Liverpool so many times and was that desperate to win that support because I was that desperate to win against the team I supported.”

It was a relatively successful loan spell. The defender featured 25 times in the Premier League and formed a solid partnership with James Tarkowski.

But, considering Jarrad Branthwaite’s form, it’s probably a good thing the club decided against a permanent deal. The 21-year-old has been exceptional; his performances have attracted the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.