26-year-old England and Everton centre-half Michael Keane moved to the club for a reported £25million from Burnley back in the 2017 summer transfer window and it’s not unfair to say the lad has had both ups and downs.
With the curtain now closed on the 2018/19 window, he’s been restricted to only 72 starting appearances with a solitary substitute showing since he made the move following a few injuries and the serious head injury he sustained, but like a few players, he ended the first year under Marco Silva is far stronger fashion and he’s won many of his doubters over.
🔵 | A fantastic season and a brilliant lad off the pitch.
Congratulations, big Mick Keane! #EFC @michaelkeane04 👏
— Everton (@Everton) May 18, 2019
Recently, Chairman Bill Kenwright bestowed on him the coveted Everton Blueblood tag, an honour previously received by legends Duncan Ferguson, Leon Osman and Tim Cahill and speaking to the Official Site and the player admitted he was overwhelmed with the honour given the history at Goodison Park.
“The longer you’re here, the more you get to know about the Club and its history and fans. And you start to feel a real part of it. That is how I’ve felt lately and this award just seals it. When you come to a new club, you want to become part of the culture and learn what it is about and how it operates. I try to do as much as I can for the community and on the pitch I try my best in training and in every match. To be honoured like this caps it off for me, I’ve never had an award like this…and I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
Fans were rightly delighted given his more recent improvements now he’s truly settled in at the club. He’s not a legend yet, but he could well be in a few years.
Brilliant that and very very true, big fella was superb this year, next year he'll be even better.
— Shoey Mc (@ShoeyEFC1234) May 18, 2019
Brilliant
— Thomas Mccarten (@Thomasmccarten1) May 18, 2019
That’s ace that ????????
— ĴΛY ƇᎾИИᎾŔ (@connjam) May 18, 2019
Thoroughly deserved !
— Mark (@scousemanblue) May 18, 2019
I'm filling up here!
— Graham Harley (@Greyharley) May 18, 2019
What a great lad as well! Thoroughly deserved, brilliant season for him.
— Mark Mulholland (@mark82mul) May 18, 2019
Confidence makes confidence playing great football @ solid and goals more to come ????⚽️????
— David (@Davidwillo2) May 18, 2019
Well done Keane
— bradley lawrence (@bradley03035398) May 19, 2019
Everton that! Love it…
— Paul Houlihan (@PabsH77) May 19, 2019
Well deserved. I think his ability to calmly pass the ball out of defence is underated. I was underwhelmed when we signed him, but now think he's crucial to the future.
— Fergus Maximus (@fergus_maximus) May 18, 2019