Everton Under-18s midfielder Matthew Apter has signed a first professional contract with the Club, penning a three-year deal until summer 2025.
Born in Liverpool, Apter joined Everton’s Academy aged five and has been capped by Scotland at Under-16 level.
He has started every U18 Premier League (North) game for the young Blues this term.
Apter, who recently celebrated his 17th birthday, says it is a dream to come true to become a professional footballer at Everton.
“I’m made up,” he told evertonfc.com. “I’ve been at the Club since I was a young boy, so it means the world to me.
“It’s a dream of mine to play at Goodison Park, so it would be incredibly special to make that a reality.
“At the moment, though, I’m looking to add more goals to my game this season and help this club to success at youth level.
“My longer-term goal is to move up to the Under-21s and then hopefully, one day, a debut for the First Team.”
Apter progressed his game significantly under the guidance of Paul Tait last season – before his move to the Under-21s set-up – and that has been continued by new Under-18s Head Coach Leighton Baines.
He credited both coaches for playing pivotal roles in the early stages of his footballing career.
“Paul Tait was a big influence for me,” added Apter. “He helped to develop my game in different positions, learning the way he wants you to play and making you realise the importance of different roles in the team.
“This season it’s been brilliant to work with someone like Leighton Baines. He’s a model professional and has helped to teach me what it takes to get to the very top.
“He got involved in one of our sessions this season and he was performing at a such a high level.
“It showed how good you’ve got to be to make it to the top and that is added motivation for myself and others in the squad.”
