Meet Everton's 2025/26 Academy Scholars

Everton Academy has welcomed its new scholars into the Under-18s ranks for next season, with nine youngsters signing their first full-time agreements with the Club.

Eight of those scholars have come through our Academy's ranks, with one new signing arriving from Scotland.

To mark the new campaign, all nine youngsters were invited to an induction event at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, before walking a short distance down Regent Road to take in Hill Dickinson Stadium as our new home nears completion.

Our Under-18s, who will be led by Head Coach Keith Southern and his backroom staff, will soon find out their Premier League Under-18 (North) fixtures for the 2025/26 season. Find out more about our brand new scholars right here.

Seve Patrick (goalkeeper)

A confident goalkeeper, Patrick enjoyed his breakthrough into the Under-18s last season, initially making the matchday squad under former Head Coach Leighton Baines before getting into the starting XI.

Patrick went on to make eight consecutive league appearances from February as the Under-18s ended the season in strong fashion.

The young stopper, who describes himself as strong and dominating, would put Peter Schmeichel in goal in his dream five-a-side team and says he is most excited about away days with his new teammates next season.

Lewis Evans (centre-back)

A passionate boyhood Evertonian, centre-back Evans makes the step up to the Under-18s next term.

An aggressive centre-half with a technical side, the youngster says he could not live without his family and football.

When asked to name his dream five-a-side, lifelong Blue Evans selected Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Richarlison, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Beto.

Harvey Billington (left-back)

Born in Milnthorpe in Cumbria, pacy left-back Billington joined Everton Academy at the age of eight, having started out at local side Milnthorpe Juniors.

Billington was briefly with Manchester United's academy before joining the Blues and is excited to start full-time with the Under-18s next season.

Describing himself as athletic and composed when it comes to playing, Billington enjoys spending time with his family and playing PS5 in his downtime. 

John Dodds (centre-back)

Dodds arrives at Everton this summer having joined the club from Hearts' academy.

A tall, powerful centre-half, Dodds says he is excited to take to the pitch next season and test himself against new opposition.

When asked to pick his dream five-a-side, Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos was Dodds' centre-back of choice.

Malik Olayiwola (midfielder)

Skilful midfielder Olayiwola is a familiar face in our Under-18s set-up, having made 16 league appearances – with four goal involvements – and playing three FA Youth Cup games for Southern's side.

The youngster has also been a regular for his country – scoring once in 10 games for England's Under-16s. 

Olayiwola describes himself as athletic, brave and ambitious, and is looking forward to potentially playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Freddie Murdock (midfielder)

A technical midfielder full of running, Northern Irish youth international Murdock made his Under-18s debut coming on as a late substitute against Manchester United in November 2024.

Murdock was part of a Northern Ireland Under-15s side that took part in a UEFA development tournament in 2023 and he has since played twice for Northern Ireland's Under-16s.

The youngster is most excited to go on tour with his teammates next season and going into full-time football.

Shea Pita (winger)

Pacy winger Pita originally joined Everton in 2017 after standing out in Llandudno FC's academy.

Pita made his Under-18s debut as a late substitute against Nottingham Forest in 2024, and has five Wales Under-17 caps to his name, scoring once in a friendly against Gibraltar.

The youngster describes himself as competitive and strong, and says three things he cannot live without are his family, music and his phone.

Amari Moses (attacking midfielder/winger)

Another exciting player who can play either in central attacking midfield or on the wing, Moses will step up to the Under-18s next year looking to add to the four appearances he has already made for the side.

Described as a direct runner and energetic, Moses was previously with Moston Tigers as a youngster.

Three things Moses says he can't live without are God, family and football.

Ray Robert (striker)

Young striker Robert came to most fans' attentions last season when he scored the first goal by an Everton player at Hill Dickinson Stadium – confidently despatching a penalty in front of the South Stand during the Club's first test event against Wigan Athletic.

Robert has already been involved in the Under-18s set-up, scoring five goals in 22 league games for Keith Southern's side over the past two seasons, including a fine brace in a 2-1 win over Wolves.

Hard-working and resilient, Robert uses his pace to his advantage on the pitch and says he is most excited about playing in the FA Youth Cup and being involved in full-time football next season.