Tim Howard and Leon Osman have surprised youngsters taking part in an Everton Soccer School in Maryland.

Howard and Osman, Everton’s leading two Premier League appearance-makers, dropped in on the eight to 14-year-olds, who were enjoying the session ran by fully-qualified Blues coaches.  

Everton Soccer Schools are being delivered across the USA this summer, with more than 3,000 youngsters set to engage with the initiative.

Everton tackled Premier League rivals Arsenal at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday and, to mark the team’s visit to the city, a Soccer School has been running at the Maryland Soccerplex throughout their stay.  

US men’s national team legend Howard and former Blues teammate Osman showed up to training to check in on the players’ progress, hand out Everton gifts and pass on words of advice learned from their own professional careers.  

They then posed for selfies and signed autographs with the excited youngsters.

Howard said: “The kids are incredibly eager and they're wanting to learn - you see them on the pitch and they're taking in all the instruction from the coaches.

"We got the chance to meet with them and chat, and there were some hard-hitting questions, but really intuitive questions.  

"Everton’s games in the US are important but when you hear these young boys and girls talk about how much they love the football club, it's a result of these building blocks – through initiatives like the Soccer Schools - that are being put in place for them."

Osman added: “We want to get the first team out here and have the opportunity to work on fitness and build the camaraderie in the squad but we also want to show who we are as a club and these Soccer Schools are a brilliant example of that.  

"Every kid has a smile on their face, they're enjoying themselves, they're wearing the Everton branding, the Everton badge, and they'll build a bond with Everton through that, which is a brilliant thing.  

"Everton did this in 15 States last summer. That's growing to even more States this year and the number of youngsters on the camps is only going to grow, too.” 

Everton Soccer Schools allow young soccer fans to train with fully-qualified Everton coaches and enjoy an authentic and memorable Everton experience. The focus is on honing skills but also enjoyment, making friends and making a lasting connection with the Blues.

To find out more about Everton Soccer Schools, visit evertoninternationalacademy.com