Former Everton star attempting ‘most difficult recovery in history’ after three-year injury hell

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Everton fans may be surprised to see that Gerard Deulofeu is still without a club at the age of just 31.

Everton threatened to become a top side in the early days of the Roberto Martinez era.

Seamus Coleman starred under Martinez as the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Leighton Baines, James McCarthy, and John Stones thrived.

After a fifth-place finish, Everton fell away under Martinez, and he was axed by Farhad Moshiri in 2016.

Lukaku and Stones went on to great success, but Gerard Deulofeu finds himself out of the game.

Ex-Everton star Gerard Deulofeu now approaching three years since his last appearance

Deulofeu joined Everton on loan from Barcelona in 2013 as he joined forces with fellow Spaniard Martinez.

Then regarded as a wonderkid at Barcelona, Deulofeu caught the eye with four goals in 29 Everton games.

Deulofeu returned to Spain with a loan move to Sevilla, before Everton pounced to sign him permanently in 2015.

An exciting wide man at his best, Deulofeu also left many fans frustrated but still returned to Barcelona in 2017, following a loan spell at AC Milan.

Deulofeu returned to England with Watford and most recently played for Italian side Udinese.

Now 31, Deulofeu hasn’t played a single game since suffering a knee injury against Sampdoria on 22 January 2023.

The winger has found it difficult to return from his torn ACL, and Udinese released Deulofeu in January 2025, while agreeing to support his recovery.

Deulofeu still holds Everton close to his heart, but he remains a free agent at just 31, and his future in football is unclear.

January will mark three years since he last stepped onto the pitch, and the former Everton ace isn’t giving up.

What Gerard Deulofeu has said about his injury return

Deulofeu spoke to The Guardian in October and vowed to do ‘something special’ by returning to action.

Deulofeu believes this could be ‘the most difficult recovery in history’ as he approaches 1,000 days out of action, but he backs himself to make a comeback.

“I know I’m trying something special,” said Deulofeu.

“Maybe it’s the most difficult recovery in history. If I manage to come back, it’ll be more than 1,000 days. But I’m a guy who takes care of himself, and I think I can do it. If there’s one guy to do it, it’s me.

“Thoughts pop up that say: ‘Oh Gerard, finish, just finish because you already made a good career and have a family.’ But if I say to my wife that it’s too difficult and I don’t think I’ll be back, she says: ‘Let’s try, you’re going to do it.’

“That’s my strength: those positive messages from my wife, and the fact my kids want to see me playing. So I’m trying, but there are days when the thoughts are bad,” he added.

Deulofeu once looked like becoming an Everton star, but his career now hangs in the balance after three years in the wilderness.

This is a quite incredible story of resilience, and Everton fans everywhere will be wishing him the best of luck after some magic moments at Goodison Park.