Everton have confirmed in their 2019/20 retained list that Matty Foulds has been released. The 22-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance and was coming to the end of his deal this summer, so his exit wasn’t a surprise. Foulds has known for weeks that his contract wouldn’t be renewed too, so he’ll now seek opportunities elsewhere.
Foulds joined the Toffees from Bury in 2016 and has gone on to make 69 appearances for the U23s, scoring three goals and making one assist. The left-back has been unable to make the step-up from the reserves due to Lucas Digne and Leighton Baines standing in his way.
Digne has been first-choice at Goodison Park ever since he joined from Barcelona in 2018, making 37 appearances (four goals, five assists) in his debut season and 32 (one goal, eight assists) in his second campaign. Baines has provided cover at left-back in recent years, making only 15 appearances in the last two seasons, so Foulds never looked likely to upset the applecart.
He’s been a regular for the reserves but hasn’t progressed enough to get the attention of Carlo Ancelotti. Where he’ll go next remains to be seen.