Everton’s Under 23 striker Fraser Hornby yesterday signed his first ever professional deal at Finch Farm in recognition of his development across the season of 2017/18.
✍️ | Congratulations to @fraser_hornby , who’s signed his first professional contract with #EFC. 🙌
👉 https://t.co/nrmHuv0OgC pic.twitter.com/dy4qN52mgZ
— Everton (@Everton) July 4, 2018
The 18-year-old talent had an encouraging year last season as he made the step up from Under 18 level to become a key figure for David Unsworth’s Under 23 side and he even made his first-team senior bow in our Europa League clash against Apollon Limassol.
It wasn’t just Everton development on show last year, he also featured for Scotland’s Under 21 side as he made international growth. Having now made his breakthrough, the youngster is certainly hoping for a few more appearances under Marco Silva in 2018/19 as he continues his development in our youth ranks.
Speaking to the Official Site as he signed his first professional deal, Hornby explained the year was made even better as he was coming back from a long-term injury.
“Every young lad’s dream is to become a professional footballer and it’s my first professional deal so I’m just delighted and I can’t wait to get started now. It’s been a memorable 12 months, considering at the start of last season I was coming back from a long-term injury. It was crazy season but full of memories and hopefully this year will bring a few more. Making my first-team debut was just an amazing experience. The whole occasion, travelling with the team, it being an away game, seeing all the fans – hopefully I can get more experiences like that in the future.”
Supporters are always delighted when a homegrown talent comes through the ranks and starts to forge ahead in their career and Hornby is certainly no different on that front given his time in our youth ranks.
The reaction to his new deal also saw one of the finest twitter responses I’ve seen so far.
Massive congratulations to You and your family Fraser!
— nigel anderson (@nigel_ebp) July 4, 2018
Congrats Fraser ????
— Craig Flaherty (@CraigTFlaherty) July 4, 2018
He’s a wonder kid in @FootballManager
— Blake Meakin (@BlakeEMeakin) July 4, 2018
If he’s half as successful as his uncle bruce was with his band he’ll be alreyt .
— jamie templey (@jamietempley) July 4, 2018
With a name like HORNBY let’s hope he goes like a train ????????????????
— Elliott Stone (@Ell1618) July 4, 2018
Best of luck to the young man.
— Roger Williams (@RogerWi33581994) July 4, 2018
Congrats Fraser ????????
— Matt ♿️ (@Matt_S_1982) July 4, 2018
Good. Would love to see a tall Scottish centre forward back in the first team.
— Anthony (@AntiWanKenobi) July 4, 2018
Quality young player
— Paul Parr (@Paul_Parr_1989) July 4, 2018