There'll be a homecoming of sorts for Seamus Coleman as Sligo Rovers have confirmed they will play a friendly against Sean Dyche's Everton on Friday 19 July at 4pm.
The Showgrounds will play host to the match and will form part of a training camp for the toffee's in the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for their Premier League opener against Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park.
Off the back of defeating defending league champions Shamrock Rovers, Bit O’Red fans will also get the opportunity to honour Seamus Coleman, who joined the Blues from Rovers in January 2009.
We are delighted to announce Everton FC will travel to the Showgrounds, as part of their pre-season preparations for the upcoming Premier League season.
The friendly will take place on Friday 19th July at 4:00pm.
Full story and ticket details: 👇https://t.co/tywcXv66E1… pic.twitter.com/oJboVpiULa— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) July 1, 2024
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Seamus Coleman's LOI homecoming
Last month, Seamus Coleman inked a new one-year contract to stay at Everton for the new season.
The Republic of Ireland captain made over 50 appearances for Sligo and became a mainstay of the first team under the management of Paul Cook before making the move across the Irish Sea to Goodison Park.
Coleman told the Everton website that it would be a 'huge honour' to return to the Showgrounds:
“It will be a huge honour for me to return to Sligo Rovers with Everton for our opening pre-season friendly of the summer.
“Sligo is a club I obviously hold close to my heart, with them putting their faith in me as a young player which eventually led to my move to Everton.
The clash will further strengthen the close bond between Everton and the Bit O’Red which, since January 2021, has included a strategic partnership between the two clubs to work on initiatives together ranging from fan engagement, marketing and joint football camps.
Speaking about the upcoming game, Sligo boss John Russell said:
“It’s an honour to have the Everton first team play at the Showgrounds and a game myself, my staff and our players are really excited about. It’s a game that will capture the imagination of the Irish football public and it’s testament to the people who run our football club that a Premier League team like Everton have chosen to visit us in preparation for their upcoming Premier League season.”
Everton endured a turbulent 2023/24 campaign that included two points deductions, but managed to survive to take their place in England's top flight for a record 122nd season with three games to spare. They will have ambitions of a successful upcoming season beginning in Sligo.
Tickets for the match go on sale at the Showgrounds from Tuesday morning at 10am.
