Young Everton Defender Signs Professional Contract

Everton Under-18s defender John Dodds has signed his first professional contract, penning a three-year deal with the Club until June 2028.

A tall, physically-dominant centre-half, Dodds joined the Blues in the summer of 2025 as a first-year scholar from Hearts’ academy.

On his new contract, Dodds told evertonfc.com: “I’m very proud. It’s a big moment for me, my friends and family.

“I moved down in the summer and everyone wants to have the opportunity to play in the Premier League. So being able to play for a Premier League club and have the best chance to do so, it's where you want to be.”

Dodds’ debut season on Merseyside was halted when he suffered a long-term injury at the start of the campaign.

Despite the disappointing setback, the 17-year-old – aiming for a return at the start of 2026/27 – says the Club’s staff have done a great job in helping him to settle in.

“I think I had the worst possible start,” he continued. “In my second game, I ended up tearing my ACL. But I got the surgery quite soon after it and from then on, the medical staff and coaches kept me involved in the football side, and so far, it's been going really well.

“I’m looking to aim to be back for the start of next season, which’ll be like a fresh start for me.”

Dodds says his decision to move to Everton last summer was guided by off-field developments like the opening of the Toffees’ world-class new stadium, as well as the Club’s promising change of ownership.

“I think the biggest appeal was with all the movement of new owners, investment, the new stadium and just all the work getting done in the Club,” said Dodds.

“It's obviously an exciting time. The first team is getting a lot of investment and then that will spiral down into the Academy and create a pathway for me and other players to get through.”

Recovery from injury is at the front of the mind for the young Scot, who is striving to hit the ground running upon his return.

After that, he wants to be playing at “the highest level possible.”

He explained: “My goal is the same as everyone else at this club.

“It's obviously doing my best to try to break into the first team. And if not, just play at the highest level possible, stay within the football leagues and hopefully have a good long career with it.”