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Had his Phil: Everton skipper Neville confirms he will quit the club at the end of the season



"It’s been an honour to play for and captain Everton Football Club. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on Merseyside and will leave with immense pride"



Calling it a day: Phil Neville is leaving Everton
Getty

The curtain will come down on Phil Neville's eight year Everton career this summer, after the skipper confirmed he won't extend his current contract.

But the Goodison stalwart has insisted he is determined to continue his playing career, and is prepared to drop down the divisions to continue his dream if necessary.

Neville has been described as one of the most important players in recent Goodison history by boss David Moyes, who believes the former England player's leadership qualities have played a huge role in creating the spirit that underpins the team.

The 36-year-old's current deal expires in June, but no talks have taken place over a new one, and after discussing the situation with manager Moyes, the decision was taken mutually that is was time for the player to move on.

Neville has played 303 games for Everton since joining for just £2.5million from Manchester United back in August 2005, but he has no intention to end his playing career just yet.

He would dearly love to add to his impressive number of appearances for the Blues before the end of the current campaign, but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

The Goodison captain has indicated he will concentrate completely on Everton's determined bid for European football this season, before considering his next move at the end of the season.

Winner: Neville with his brother Gary and the Premier League trophy in 2003
Getty

But he has made clear he will play on, even if it means dropping down a level. Speaking this morning, the player explained: "I want to continue to play at the top level as long as I physically can.

"I will be weighing up my options before making a decision on my next move. I'll now be doing everything I can to help Everton finish as high up the league table as possible."

Neville played 386 games in a 10 year Old Trafford spell, and many assumed he would wind his career down after leaving United, but he has been a massive influence for Moyes since arriving at Goodison.

The Scottish manager has always maintained his skipper was one of his most important signings, not least because Neville sets the tone in the dressing room, and refuses to allow any players to get carried away with a big time mentality.

He engenders a huge team spirit at the club which has been so important to the success of Everton in recent years, and Moyes accepts he now faces a tough job in replacing such important leadership within his squad.

Despite increasingly struggling with injury this season, Neville will hope to continue in the Premier League, with promotion candidates Hull a potential destination if they go up, while QPR boss Harry Redknapp has been a long term admirer.

While Neville will continue to lead Everton until the end of the season, his team-mate and close friend Darron Gibson has already made a cheeky bid for the Goodison captaincy, with a humorous Tweet this morning.

"Drop the armband off at mine when ur ready m8, I'm in all day!" the Ireland international said via his Twitter account.

While Neville will play on, it is in the hope of adding to his experience as he contemplates a future coaching role.

The veteran defender has already joined the England U21 backroom staff and will be part of Stuart Pearce's team that will travel to Israel for the European U21 Championships in June.
Phil Neville factfile

1977: Born January 21, in Bury.

1993: Joins Manchester United as a trainee.

1995: After coming through the youth ranks, makes his Manchester United debut in January, facing Wrexham in an FA Cup fourth-round tie. Captains United to FA Youth Cup title.

1996: May 23 - Makes England debut in friendly against China. Selected for Euro 96 but was not used at the tournament by England boss Terry Venables. Wins first Premiership title with United, and the FA Cup.

1997: United successfully defend their league title.

1998: Excluded from England squad for 1998 World Cup.

1999: Neville wins third Premiership winners' medal and United also add the FA Cup for another double which becomes a treble after a 2-1 win against Bayern Munich in Champions League final.

2000: Endures miserable Euro 2000 campaign and gave away penalty to Romania which sealed England's exit in the group stages. Wins another Premiership title.

2001: Wins fifth Premiership title.

2002: Left out of World Cup squad by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

2003: Wins sixth Premiership title.

2004: Earns 50th England cap at Euro 2004 in quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal. Unused substitute as United beat Millwall in FA Cup final.

2005: August 4 - Joins Everton for a £3million-plus fee, after making 386 appearances for the Red Devils.

2006: May 22 - Placed on standby for England's World Cup squad after West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker withdraws from the five-man list.

2007: January - Takes over Everton club captaincy following David Weir's move to Rangers.

October 13 - Wins the last of his 59 England caps against Estonia.

2011: August - signs one-year contract extension tying him to Everton until 2013.

2012: March - Joins England Under-21 coaching staff on a one-off basis for international against Belgium at Middlesbrough.

2012: December 26 - Becomes only the seventh player to record 500 Premier League appearances after starting against Wigan.

2013: March - FA confirms Neville will join the England Under-21 coaching staff for this summer's European Championships in Israel.April 9 - Announces he will leave Everton at the end of the season after eight years with the club.

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