Reece Welch 64

Reece Welch joined the Finch Farm Academy at the age of 8 and made his breakthrough into the Under-18s side in the 2018-19 season, scoring on his debut for the first game of the season, an impressive 2-1 win over Derby County, the reigning U18 Premier League Champions, all before he turned 16.

Welch, who was born in Huddersfield, signed his first professional contract, a 3-year deal, just after his 17th birthday in September 2020 and rapid advancement in the Under-23 side saw him promoted to training with the senior squad by the Spring of 2021.

Together with his Academy team-mate Isaac Price, Reece stepped  up to the first-team squad as a 17-year-old after impressing Carlo Ancelotti and making the senior bench for the first time away at Brighton in April 2021.

He wouldn't get to make his senior bow under Ancelotti but did make his debut for the first team in March 2022 under new manager Frank Lampard when he came on as a late substitute in the FA Cup win over non-league Boreham Wood. Lampard would put him on the bench for 5 more games without giving him a senior debut in the Premier League but his first senior start would come in August 2022 in a League Cup tie at Fleetwood Town. 

In October of 2022, the 18-year-old agreed an exceptional 4-year contract with Everton, signaling the confidence the club had in the youngster and his future potential and he would get onto the senior subs bench on 5 more occasions during the season, but without being called upon.

He went out on a season-long loan at Forest Green Rovers in League Two in August 2023, where former manager David Horseman told the club's official website when he arrived at Forest Green: “This is one we’re really excited about. A big thank you to Everton for making it sure got done. Reece is a really physical centre-back with good mobility. He’s a lovely footballer. He arrives with good pedigree, and he’s highly rated at Everton. He will help us a lot this season."

After a what was initially a successful loan spell with Forest Green Rovers, he was recalled in January 2024 with Everton concerned that he had fallen out of favour.  The 20-year-old centre-back had found his playing time limited throughout December 2023, completing only 9 minutes of football in the last 6 League Two matches.

He returned to the Under-21s for the rest of the season and then played in 3 of the 5 senior pre-season friendlies before the next stage of his development path which was a loan move to Belgium in September 2024 for a spell in the 2nd tier Challenger Pro League with KMSK Deinze.

FactFile