Doucoure posts heartfelt goodbye to Everton

Abdoulaye Doucoure says he will “forever be a Blue” after confirming he will leave Everton at the end of the season.

The Toffees have declined to take up a 12-month option on the 32-year-old’s current contract and he leaves the club after making 165 appearances following a £20million move from Watford in 2020.

Doucoure played a key role in Everton’s Premier League survival in 2023 with the only goal in the final-day win over Bournemouth.

ONCE A BLUE , ALWAYS A BLUE pic.twitter.com/YaBncexTZ3

— Abdoulaye Doucouré (@abdoudoucoure16) May 20, 2025

He posted on X today: “Hi Evertonians, I just wanted to share this message with you that I’m going to leave the football club at the end of the season. After five wonderful years, my time at Everton has come to an end.

“Everton means a lot to me. Obviously the past five years have been hard. I will always remember my time as a dream for me to play for Everton Football Club. Obviously, I’m sad to leave the club after five wonderful years, but I think the time has come for a new chapter for me and the club as well and I will always be grateful for what the club did for me.

“When the opportunity came, I was very happy to sign for the club. My best memory will obviously be the goal I scored against Bournemouth to keep the club in the Premier League.

“I think this is something I’ll always be proud of. It was a wonderful moment for me and my family, and for the club as well.

“I will miss the fans, I will miss the football club. I just wanted them to know that I gave everything, every single time in training and in games.”

I will miss the place – Doucoure

Doucoure was visibly emotional after being substituted in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Southampton in the final men’s game to be played at Goodison Park.

He added: “I was always proud to wear the shirt. I was always proud to play at Goodison Park.

“I gave everything to win as many games as I could. I will just miss the place and I wish them all the best in the new stadium.

“Everton will always be part of my life now. I will be forever a Blue, I will always be supporting Everton and I hope they are going to have a bright future.”

Doucoure now Elland Road bound?

Mali international Doucoure is rumoured to be a target for newly promoted Leeds.

He leaves Everton alongside Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia. No decision has yet been announced on the futures of Idrissa Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Michael Keane, who are also out of contract in the summer.