Tom Cannon 47

Tom Cannon joined Everton aged 10 and was 18 when he signed his first professional contract in March 2021.   A Republic of Ireland youth international, he made his Everton Under-18 debut aged 16 and scored on his second appearance at that level in April 2019.  

The curtailed 2019-20 campaign yielded 16 goals in as many games – 13 starts – including four in a 10-0 demolition of Sunderland.

Cannon was formidable again the following season. He scored at a rate of a goal every other game in 20 Under-18 appearances, while steadily being introduced to Under-23 football by manager David Unsworth. There were 13 appearances from the bench and one start for the older-age team, Cannon netting twice, in addition to an ever-present role in Everton's run to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.

Tom initally agreed to a 2-year deal that ran until June 2023.  At the end of the season, he was chosen by coaches and staff to receive the Tony Heslop Award, which honours a player who “represents The People’s Club with distinction and passion”, at the 2020-21 Academy Awards.

It was expected that Cannon would perhaps step up to the first team during the 2021-22 season but he played only for the U23s. Neither Rafael Benitez nor Frank Lampard felt he was ready for a senior run out and he ended the season as top scorer for the U23s with 9 goals.

His progress and the faith the club had in him to eventually make the step up the first team were reflected in the new three-year contract he signed in August 2022 just two days after he scored both goals for the U21s in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

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