Doucoure confirms Everton departure
Abdoulaye Doucoure has played a pivotal role in Everton's survival in the Premier League in recent years, but is now set to leave the club.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is in line to feature in his final game for Everton after it was confirmed he would be leaving the club.
Doucoure joined from Watford in 2020, and has been an integral player for the Toffees.
The midfielder was a regular under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Sean Dyche and now David Moyes, though he did find himself out of the team under Frank Lampard in the 2022-23 season.
However, the 32-year-old will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract next month.
"Everton means a lot to me," said Doucoure in a video posted to his official social media channels, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
"I will always remember my time as a dream. I am sad to leave the club, but I think the time has come for a new chapter.
"I will always be grateful for what the club did for me."
Doucoure has played 165 times for Everton, scoring 21 goals, including a crucial strike against Bournemouth to keep the Toffees up on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign.
Moyes told Everton's media channels: "Doucs has been an influential player throughout his time at the club, including since I returned as manager, and Evertonians will always be grateful for his dedication and crucial goals.
"Everyone at Everton thanks Doucs for his service and wishes him all the best for the future."
Since Doucoure signed for Everton, they have played 148 league matches with him in the side, winning 55 of those (37.2%).
However, Everton's Premier League win ratio drops to just 9.8% without Doucoure in the team, with the Toffees taking three points in just four of the 41 games he has missed.
Doucoure, who was in tears during Everton's last match at Goodison Park on Sunday, is in line to feature for the club for the final time when they take on Newcastle United this weekend.