Everton have confirmed captain Phil Neville will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old, who joined the Toffees from Manchester United in 2005, will link up with Stuart Pearce’s England Under-21 coaching staff for the upcoming European Championship in Israel this summer, but clarified he would extend his playing career beyond this 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," Neville said.
Neville joined the Toffees in 2005 from Manchester United
"I would like to thank the Manager, Chairman, all of the staff and the players at Everton for their continued support during my time at the club. I’d also like to pay a special thanks to the fans, who have been amazing over the past eight years and Everton will always have a place in my heart. I want to continue to play at the top level as long as I physically can, and 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Neville has not featured for Everton since he was withdrawn at half-time in their humiliating 3-0 FA Cup loss at home to Wigan Athletic a month ago.
The younger Neville brother was bought from United by David Moyes for £3.5m seven-and-a-half-years ago, and has played 303 times for the Blues, scoring five goals.
Phil Neville's Everton career
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Paul Scholes greets Phil Neville on his Everton debut
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"Gary, meet Philip."
Bolton Wanderers v Everton - FA Cup Fourth Round(03 of27)
BOLTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Phil Neville of Everton celebrates victory in the FA Cup with Budweiser Fourth Round match between Bolton Wanderers and Everton at the Reebok Stadium on January 26, 2013 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton v Southampton - Premier League(04 of27)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Nikica Jelavic of Everton celebrates with Phil Neville after scoring his first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on September 29, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton v Newcastle United - Premier League(05 of27)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Everton captain Phil Neville celebrates to the crowd after team mate Nikica Jelavic of Everton has scored the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park on May 13, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton v Blackburn Rovers - Premier League(06 of27)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Tim Cahill (C) celebrates with Phil Neville after scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Blackburn Rovers at Goodison Park on January 21, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Phil Neville(07 of27)
Everton's Phil Neville celebrates after beating West Bromwich Albion in their English League Cup third round soccer match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Wednesday Sept. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Tim Hales) (credit:AP)
Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Carling Cup Third Round(08 of27)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Phil Neville of Everton is congratulated by Phil Jagielka on scoring the second goal during the Carling Cup Third Round match between Everton and West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park on September 21, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton's English midfielder Phil Nevill(09 of27)
Everton's English midfielder Phil Neville celebrates their 2-1 victory in the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north-west England on May 7, 2011. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLISFOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton - Premier League(10 of27)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Phil Neville of Everton celebrates scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at Molineux on April 9, 2011 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Everton - FA Cup 4th Round Replay(11 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Everton captain Phil Neville celebrates after scoring the winning penalty to put his team through 4-3 on penalties during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 4th round replay match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on February 19, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton's captain Phil Neville celebrate(12 of27)
Everton's captain Phil Neville celebrates after their win on penalties in the FA Cup fourth round replay football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in west London, England on February 19, 2011. Neville scored the decisive penalty for Everton after the game finished 1-1 after extra time. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZAFOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Everton - FA Cup 4th Round Replay(13 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Everton captain Phil Neville celebrates after scoring the winning penalty to put his team through 4-3 on penalties during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 4th round replay match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on February 19, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Everton - FA Cup 4th Round Replay(14 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Everton captain Phil Neville celebrates after scoring the winning penalty to put his team through 4-3 on penalties during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 4th round replay match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on February 19, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Everton - Premier League(15 of27)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Phil Neville of Everton celebrates as Jermaine Beckford scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 4, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton's captain Phil Neville celebrate(16 of27)
Everton's captain Phil Neville celebrates their late goal scored by Jermaine Beckford (not pictured) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London, England on December 4, 2010. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTON FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Birmingham v Everton - Premier League(17 of27)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Tim Cahill of Everton celebrates scoring with team mates Phil Neville and Leighton Baines during the Barclays Premier League match between Birmingham City and Everton at St Andrews on October 2, 2010 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Everton - Premier League(18 of27)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Everton manager David Moyes celebrates the Everton's second goal with Phil Neville during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester City and Everton at the City of Manchester Stadium on March 24, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton's English midfielder Phil Nevill(19 of27)
Everton's English midfielder Phil Neville celebrates after Everton beat Chelsea in the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park, Liverpool, north-west England, on February 10, 2010. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sticking one away against United in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final shootout
Everton v Middlesbrough - FA Cup 6th Round(21 of27)
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: Phil Neville of Everton celebrates at the end of the match during the FA Cup Sponsored by E.on 6th Round match between Everton and Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on March 8, 2009 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton v Aston Villa - Premier League(22 of27)
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 27: Phil Neville of Everton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on April 27, 2008 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Everton v Newcastle United(23 of27)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Phil Neville of Everton celebrates scoring the third goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park on December 30, 2006 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Portugese midfielder(24 of27)
Manchester United's Portugese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo (L) reacts after being fouled by Everton's English midfielder Phil Neville (R) during the English Premier League football match at Goodison Park , Liverpool , north-west , England on October 25 , 2008 AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures are subject to obtaining a Photographic End User Licence from Football DataCo Ltd Tel : +44 (0) 207 864 9121 or e-mail accreditations@football-dataco.com - applies to Premier and Football League matches. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Everton v Liverpool - Goodison Park(25 of27)
Referee Mark Clattenburg shows Everton's Phil Neville the red card after a deliberate hand ball on the line. (credit:PA)
Everton v Manchester United(26 of27)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Phil Neville of Everton reacts tos coring an own-goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on April 28 2007 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Everton's new signing Phil Neville poses for photographers following a press conference at the club's Bellefield training ground in 2005