Seamus Coleman will return to Sligo Rovers years after he left the League of Ireland club for Everton Football Club, and no, it's not a transfer move. Everton and Sligo have agreed to play a pre-season game on July 19 at the Showgrounds in Sligo as part of their pre-season schedule.
Coleman was signed by the Merseyside club from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 in January 2009. Coleman holds the Blues' record for most Premier League appearances, having featured 364 times in the competition.
Speaking about the game against his old side Sligo today, Everton captain Coleman, who recently signed a one-year contract extension until June 2025, said, "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.
"I still have many friends at Sligo, and it’s been great to see the close bond between the two clubs strengthen over the years. Going back there after more than 15 special years as an Evertonian will mean a lot to my family and me.
LIVERPOOL, England, April APRIL 7: Seamus Coleman of Everton is challenged by Sadio Mane of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on April 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) )"I’m really looking forward to seeing Sligo fans and Evertonians at the Showgrounds on Friday, July 19."
Sligo boss John Russell added that it would be an honour to have the Premier League side at their ground later this month: "It’s an honour to have the Everton first team play at the Showgrounds, and it’s 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 a testament to the people who run our football club that a Premier League team like Everton has chosen to visit us in preparation for their upcoming Premier League season."
Tickets for Sligo Rovers vs. Everton will go on sale online from 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3, priced at 20 euros for adults, 15 euros for OAPs and students, and 10 euros for under-12s. A link to the ticket portal will be posted on the Everton and Sligo club channels on the day of sale.
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