England U-16 international Rafael Garcia has signed his first professional contract with Everton after turning 17-years-old earlier in the month.
As announced on the club’s official website, the former Fulham youngster, who joined the club in 2017, has put pen to paper for his first contract as a professional player with the Toffees despite being ruled out for the remainder of the 2018/19 season with an ACL injury.
Yet despite being out of action for the year, Garcia sounded delighted to have signed with the Toffees for the foreseeable future, with the youngster telling Everton’s official website: “Signing a first pro contract is a huge thing and hopefully it will be the start of something big. I’ve had so much help since I’ve joined Everton, from my teammates, my coaches and the staff.”
A player who idolises Juventus superstar as Everton’s official website claims, Garcia is a prospect who could have a good future with the Toffees once the 17-year-old recoveries from injury.
The striker, who is eligible to play for Spain, acts like a player well beyond his years, and as stated in his interview with the club, the teenager is an attacker who is eager to do his talking on the pitch and continue to learn the trade.
The former Fulham star said: “I came to Everton because I wanted a new challenge. It’s been great for me and I feel I have improved so much. Paul Tait [the Under-18s manager] has been a big influence and I’ve learned a lot from him. I want to do well in every age group and score more goals.”
Everton’s current crop of youngsters are some of the brightest the club has produced in years, with David Unsworth’s U-23 side sitting in 3rd place in Premier League 2 and Tait’s U-18 steam placed in the same position in the U-18 division, four points behind city rivals Liverpool.