Abdoulaye Doucouré Bids Farewell to Everton After Five Memorable Years

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré has officially announced his departure from the club, marking the end of a memorable five-year tenure with the Toffees. The 32-year-old Mali international confirmed he will be leaving at the end of the current season as his contract comes to a close.

Doucouré joined Everton from Watford in September 2020 for £20 million and quickly became a vital part of the midfield. Over the course of his time at Goodison Park, he made 165 appearances and netted 21 goals. Among his most iconic contributions was the decisive goal against Bournemouth that ensured Everton’s Premier League survival on the final day of the 2022-23 season — a moment he described as one of the proudest of his career.

In a heartfelt video posted to social media, Doucouré addressed fans directly:

“Hi Evertonians – just wanted to share this message with you that I’m going to leave the football club at the end of the season. After five wonderful years, my time at Everton came to an end.”

He continued “Everton means a lot to me. Obviously the past five years have been hard but I will always remember my time here as a dream. I was always proud to wear the shirt and play at Goodison Park.”

Doucouré was visibly emotional during Everton’s 2-0 victory over Southampton, their final match at Goodison Park before moving to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. As he left the pitch in the second half, fans offered a warm send-off to the midfielder, who has become a fan favorite.

The departure of Doucouré comes as part of a larger transition at Everton, with veteran Ashley Young and goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia also leaving. Meanwhile, several other players including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane, and Seamus Coleman are nearing the end of their contracts.

Reflecting on his time at the club, Doucouré said, “I gave everything to win as many games as I could. I will just miss the place and I wish the club all the best in the new stadium. Everton will always be a part of my life. I will be forever a Blue.”

As Everton prepares to turn a new page, Doucouré leaves behind a legacy of resilience, commitment, and passion — one that supporters will not soon forget.