CONFIRMED: Ross Barkley leaves Everton for Chelsea

Ross Barkley has left Everton for Chelsea today, both clubs have confirmed. The transfer fee agreed upon per reports is about £15m with the player’s current contract with the Toffees about to expire at the end of this season.

The playmaker had been with the Blues since the age of 11, developing within the Everton youth system and joining the Academy at the beginning of the 2010-11 season as a 16-year-old and being named to the Everton senior team bench in September 2010. He made his first full senior start in the first game of the 2011-12 season at home and has been an integral part of the team since then.

He had his best season by far during 2015-16 when despite the Blues faltering to an 11th place finish and Roberto Martinez getting the sack, Barkley scored 14 times for club and country.

Barkley leaves the club having made 179 senior team appearances in all competitions for the Blues, scoring 27 times with 28 assists. He also has 34 England youth international appearances with five goals, and a further two goals with 22 senior team caps.

Like any other player leaving Everton, we thank Barkley for his service to Everton over the years and wish him all the best in his future career.