Versatile young Evertonian gets loan deal

Everton continue their squad management ahead of the new Premier League season by sending out youngster Callum Connolly on loan to Wigan Athletic. The Latics earned promotion back into the Championship last season and will be looking to consolidate their place for a future run at the top division.

Before they loaned him out though the Blues secured Connolly’s future by signing him to a new three-year-deal, running through to 2021.

The 20-year-old can play both as full back and defensive midfielder, and did well on a loan spell last season at Ipswich Town.

Connolly has one appearance for the Everton senior side, coming on as a substitute at right back at the end of the 2015-16 season. Last season he featured in four games for the Toffees Under-23s before going on loan to the Tractor Boys where he played in 35 games, scoring four times and picking up one assist mostly playing in the holding midfielder role.

Connolly trained with the senior squad during the preseason, but was always going to find it hard to crack the roster this season with the right back and defensive midfielder positions both quite deep for the Blues. The youngster joins Antonee Robinson, who will also be spending the upcoming season at the DW Stadium.

Speaking after joining Wigan under Joe Royle, Connolly said -

“It feels like a long time ago since I was here but it’s good to be back under the new manager and to join in with the new recruits and hopefully have a positive season.

“I know a few of the players here already from my time a couple of years ago but the manager was the big impact in me joining, so I’m just looking forward to the season and kicking on.

“This is the first time I’ve met the manager but he seems a down to earth guy and someone I can get along with. He’s a Scouser as well so that’ll help too.”