Midfielder Murdock Signs First Professional Contract With Everton

Everton Under-18s midfielder Freddie Murdock has signed his first professional contract with the Club, penning a deal until June 2028.

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

Murdock signed scholarship forms last summer and has been a regular for Keith Southern’s side in recent weeks, having returned from an early-season injury that kept him sidelined until late January.

The youngster has scored twice in nine games so far this term, including an exquisite chip from the edge of the box in the Under-18s' dominant 5-0 win away at Burnley.

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 for both the Under-16s and Under-17s.

Freddie is the son of former Northern Ireland international Colin Murdock and has two brothers playing in the youth ranks at Manchester United, including Under-21s goalkeeper Will.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to sign my first professional contract,” Murdock told evertonfc.com. “Since I've been here, the Club have just been so welcoming to me and it's a great time to be a part of Everton, so I'm just really excited for the future.

“I joined Everton about two years ago and ever since then it's just been such an amazing journey. I've really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what happens in the future.”

Murdock suffered a fractured leg just weeks into his first season as a scholar, having made two Premier League Under-18 (North) appearances up until that point.

But the youngster credits the Under-18s medical and coaching staff for picking him up and getting him back to his best within months.

“The start of the season was going well for me and then I picked up an injury, a fracture in my right leg,” Murdock said. “But ever since then, it's just been going positively and I’ve grabbed a couple of goals.

“[The coaching staff] have been very supportive. When I was injured, they were just focused on me, trying to get me back fit and strong.

“They've just pushed me to stick to things I'm good at and to try to help the team as much as I can.”