It seems like Mason Holgate has been around for what seems like an eternity, yet the defender has only just turned 23-years-old, and despite a loan-spell last season, the return to the starting XI looks unlikely.
| Happy Birthday, Mason Holgate!
today! pic.twitter.com/xhjLNK1Lxh
— Everton (@Everton) October 22, 2019
The Everton defender has not managed to secure a place back in the first-team following his half-season loan-spell at West Brom last season where the centre-back, who can also play right-back as positional stats from Transfermark show, missed out on promotion to the Premier League after the Baggies crashed out in the Championship play-offs, with Holgate missing a penalty in the semi-final shootout against Aston Villa.
And to celebrate his 23rd birthday, Everton released a short GIF of the defender’s best moments for the club to their official Twitter account, with some supporters using the post as an opportunity to praise the defender, who is valued on Transfermarkt at £6.3m, as well as wish him well on his special day.
Here’s what some Everton fans had to say about Holgate on Twitter following the club’s birthday post for the defender…
Quality player Happy Birthday !!
— stu (@stu02211463) October 22, 2019
Happy Birthday to the lad.
— Peter Papadopoulos (@PeterPapadopo11) October 23, 2019
— Fiai$ (@vitor_fiais) October 22, 2019
Happy birthday Mason
— Phil (@Philefc83) October 22, 2019
One moment in Holgate’s Everton career, though, stood out about the rest…
Should’ve added this pic.twitter.com/VUyY1nsudK
— Buttocks (@EMPERORBUTTOCKS) October 22, 2019
@KaLimited legend
— Alex Brownhill (@alexb1878) October 22, 2019
Really like him, hope he turns out good for us
— Pickers Man (@KeanForMoise) October 22, 2019
Love that…..
— wayne shearer (@WayneShearer) October 22, 2019
Holegate has largely had a second-string role for Everton this season, with stats from Transfermarkt showing that the youngster has only managed 197 minutes of first-team football.