By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Delle Alli has called time on his stint at Everton in a heartfelt post on social media where he thanks those at the club for their help on his ‘incredibly tough journey’.
Alli joined Everton from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2022 but went on to make just one Premier League start for the Merseyside club, plus 12 substitute appearances.
He hasn’t played football competitively since February 2023, when he was on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, and last year spent a six-week spell at a rehab facility in the United States for addiction, mental health and trauma treatment.
He has remained at Finch Farm this season as he has tried to recover from a series of fitness issues. However, the midfielder now looks set to embark on a fresh chapter away from Merseyside and has expressed his gratitude for the support Everton have shown him during his time at the club.
In a message on Instagram, Dele thanked his former club, saying that “2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities”.
He added: “Before any of that happens, it’s very important for me to make clear how grateful I am to all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.”
After leaving Tottenham for Everton in January 2022, Dele made just one Premier League start, plus 12 substitute appearances.
His last competitive game was in February 2023 while on loan at Turkish side Besiktas.
“It’s been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness and I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process,” Dele added.
“Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped, and I think it’s the right time for me to turn a new page. I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck.”
Dele joined Everton on the same day they appointed Frank Lampard as a manager. Lampard was succeeded by Sean Dyche in January 2023.
Dyche said on Friday: “The major point that we agreed, as a collective, was to get him back to a good place and I think he is there.
“He’s had so much misfortune with injuries, you could not imagine the challenges he has had. We wish him well and that is all we can do.
“He has been nothing but an ease for me to work with. On to a new challenge but we certainly wish him well.”
Dele was pictured watching Italian side Como beat Roma at the weekend, where manager Cesc Fàbregas has offered him the chance to train with his squad after Christmas.