Have you ever been driving home from work, walking down the aisle of your local grocery store, going the game or even just sitting there zoning out in front of the telly, and wondered, “What ever happened to [insert random former Everton player’s name here]?”
Well, you’re in luck.
My goal was simple: compile a list of obscure Everton players that you may remember from your childhood or even a few seasons ago (niche, but not too niche, if you’re still following).
Whether you have fond memories of these
players or completely forgotten they played for the Blues altogether, join me for a walk down memory lane as we re-live some memorable (and not so memorable) Everton players that still cross my mind from time to time.
Apostolos Vellios (2011-2014)
Vellios got off to a hot start after joining the club in January of 2011, scoring three goals in his first four matches for the U21s. Despite his fine form, Vellios never got much of a chance with the first team under Moyes. Whilst scoring three goals off the bench to start off the 2011-12 season, he was then left out of the squad despite his late-game heroics. Vellios went on to spend the remainder of his time with the U21s or frozen out of the squad completely before joining Blackpool on loan in 2014 and leaving the club shortly thereafter.
Vellios went on to jump around a few clubs but couldn’t quite find his footing. At the age of 34, Apostolos still has his shooting boots on, scoring three goals for Greek second tier side Niki Volos this season.
Blues may remember Vellios most for his spectacular bicycle kick assist to Nikica Jelavic in that thrilling 2-1 win against Spurs in 2012.
Lacina Traore (2014)
At 6’8”, it was exciting enough that Everton were signing one of the Premier League’s tallest-ever players. Joining during the winter of 2014, not much was known about the then-23-year-old (outside of his height, of course). Following some success throughout Europe before his England arrival, fans were anxiously awaiting what the new man up top could offer.
Sadly, Traore’s tenure with the Blues was a short one. He will be remembered most for scoring one of the more skillful goals you’ll ever see, helping Everton to a 3-1 FA Cup Fifth Round win against Swansea City on February 16, 2014. Traore then picked up a long-term hamstring injury and only featured once more in a Blue shirt in the dying seconds of a 2-0 win over Hull City in the final match of the season.
Traore jumped around a few more clubs, but could never seem to find his early-career form. The Ivory Coast international retired in 2022 at the age of 32.
Aiden McGeady (2014-2017)
It was an exciting time, especially for Irish Blues, when McGeady joined the club in January of 2014. With Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, and Darron Gibson already established at the club, Everton had their own Irish five-a-side team in the works. With plenty of success in Scotland and Russia, it seemed like a well-deserved step up for the then-28-year-old.
In his first half-season season with the Toffees, McGready only made scarce appearances off the bench, assisting once in 16 PL matches. McGeady kicked on a bit in his second season with the club, most notably providing three assists in Everton’s first five Europa League matches that campaign.
The rest of McGeady’s tenure was not as memorable. Following a string of injuries and poor performances, McGeady was frozen out of the squad in the 2016-17 season, joining both Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End on loan. McGeady then joined Sunderland on a permanent deal in 2017, where he finally re-discovered his form, recording 36G, 35A, and a whopping 21 yellow cards in 150 matches for the Black Cats.
McGeady spent the final few seasons of his career back in Scotland before retiring in October of 2024 at 38.
In the 2014-15 season opener against Leicester City, McGeady scored his first and only goal for the club—but what a goal it was.
Muhamed Besic (2014-21)
Besic was a hard-nosed, yet skillful defensive midfielder that had many Blues excited. So excited, that if my memory serves me right, thousands of Blues found themselves on a late-night dodgy Youtube stream watching Besic for his former side Ferencváros following the first rumours of a move.
Besic was as versatile as they come, being able to play in a holding midfield role as well as centreback if needed (albeit a bit of a wildcard when on the backline).
Besic really came into his own in the 2014-15 season, playing in 31 games and becoming an important part of the Blues’ Europa League and Cup game efforts.
Despite a handful of appearances in the 2015-16 season during his second season with the club, Besic faced an insurmountable amount of injuries which effectively ended his time with the Blues. In 2018, Besic did seem to finally rediscover his form following two loan moves to Middlesbrough, starting nearly every game during his time with the Boro.
After a separate loan with Sheffield United, Besic rejoined his former club Ferencváros. At 33, Besic now plays a crucial part for his current side Spartak Subotica in the Serbian first division. He just recently captained his side in four straight matches (while at centreback, nonetheless).
Well in, Mo.
Nikola Vlasic (2017-19)
Vlasic fell victim to Everton’s infamous “Summer of Spending” in 2017. In an already crowded attacking space of Bolasie, Rooney, Walcott, Klaassen, and others (plus the arrival of Ademola Lookman in January of 2017), the then-19-year-old Vlasic found himself with the odds stacked against him early on in his Everton tenure. Not to mention, Vlasic was also caught up in plenty of managerial mixups when Sam Allaradyce took over for Ronald Koeman early on in the season.
While scoring twice and assisting once in Everton’s 2017-18 Europa League campaign, he was effectively frozen out of the squad by Allardyce and again by Marco Silva following the Portuguese man’s arrival in May of 2018.
Vlasic then joined CSKA Moscow on loan before signing with the Russian giants on a permanent deal a season later. Like many former Everton hopefuls, Vlasic certainly went on to make a name for himself, recording 33G and 21A in 120 appearances in Russia, including a winner in the Champions League against Real Madrid in 2018 and the winner of the Russian Premier League Footballer of the Year in 2020 (much to the chagrin of Evertonians far and wide).
Vlasic made a short return to the Premier League with West Ham in 2021 before joining Serie A side Torino a year later. At the age of 28, Vlasic now finds himself playing a crucial role for the Italian side.
All the best, Nikola (clips were hard to come by).
Anyone we missed? Leave your thoughts below (part 2, 3, 4, and 10 soon to come).
