Joel Robles among seven players released by Everton

As per custom, Everton issued their yearly list of players that are set to be released when their contracts expire next month. Easily the biggest name on the list was backup goalkeeper Joel Robles, who will now be allowed to sign on a free transfer for another club, likely in Spain.

Robles joined the Blues from Atletico Madrid in 2013, and went on to make 65 appearances for Everton, notching 25 clean sheets, 10 of which came during 2016/17 when he was the de facto starter after the departure of Tim Howard.

The big Spaniard always played with passion, and while he could be inconsistent, Robles had a penchant for the occasional spectacular save. Joel’s passion and athletic ability will be a benefit to any club he joins this summer, and we wish him well.

Also released were Jose Baxter, Conor Grant, Sam Byrne, Calum Dyson, Louis Gray, and David Henen. Baxter will join Oldham Athletic, while Grant heads to Plymouth Argyle. In the meantime, these second-year scholars were not offered contracts: Stephen Duke-McKenna, Charlie Ball, Nathan Baxter, Jordan Corke, Matthew Johnson, Sid Kerr, Nathan Moore, and Tom Scully.