Former Premier League player features in competitive match for old club as a free agent

Former Everton player Tom Davies played in the Toffees’ Under-21s game against Crystal Palace as his search for a new club goes on. The midfielder started his career with the Toffees, graduating from the club’s academy before leaving in the summer of 2023 for a switch to Sheffield United . He joined the Blades at the end of his contract at Goodison Park but was released by Sheffield United in the summer. Since then, the 28-year-old has been on the lookout for a new club. And the Toffees confirmed in a website statement that he was playing for the youth team . The game ended 1-1 and Davies came on in the 52nd minute. The statement from the club said: “Academy graduate Tom Davies will feature in Everton Under-21s’ Premier League 2 clash away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, as the Academy continues to support the midfielder with his fitness as he looks to secure a professional contract elsewhere. “Davies – a free agent after leaving Sheffield United at the end of last season – has been training with the Under-21s to support the Blues’ younger players while building his own fitness. “Davies, who will start on the bench this afternoon, joined Everton academy at the age of 11 and developed through the age groups before making his men’s debut aged 17 in April 2016. “The boyhood Blue became the youngest captain in Everton’s history when he skippered the side, aged 20, for a 2018 Carabao Cup tie.” Rebuilding a career Davies made 179 appearances for Everton in his time with the club, and after making his debut in the 2015/16 season, the versatile midfielder became an important player. From there, he regularly made over 20 Premier League appearances a season, including 33 in the 2017/18 campaign and 30 during 2020/21. But since a serious knee injury in November 2021, it has been a struggle for Davies. In three years at Bramall Lane, he missed 43 matches due to three big injuries, including two bad hamstring problems. And in the summer, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder decided to release him. Davies started training with the Toffees in the summer and a couple of weeks ago he received clearance to join the Under-21s for real. At the time, academy director Dean Rastrick said: “Tom has been a brilliant influence with our young players since returning to the academy to build up his fitness. His advice, guidance and mentoring is invaluable for the boys. “As Tom helps them, we are only too pleased to help him as he looks to find his next club to continue his playing career.” He was due to play against Wolves, but that match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, leading to this game against Palace being his first match back at the club where it all started as an 11 year old.