Ben Godfrey sends emotional Everton message after Atalanta transfer confirmed

Ben Godfrey has sent an emotional goodbye message to Everton after completing his transfer to Serie A side Atalanta.

The 26-year-old defender, who was about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Goodison Park, flew to Italy yesterday and his move to the Bergamo-based outfit – who will compete in next season’s Champions League after lifting the Europa League in May with a 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen (the only defeat Xabi Alonso’s side suffered in all competitions throughout the entire campaign) – took to social media to offer his thanks to Blues staff and supporters for all their help during his four-year stint on Merseyside. Godfrey, who joined Everton from Norwich City for £20million in 2020 and made his debut for the club as a substitute for captain Seamus Coleman in a Merseyside Derby on October 17, has departed for an undisclosed fee understood to be £11million plus add ons and a sell-on clause.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), the York-born player said: “I joined the club in 2020, everyone at the club – fans, staff and players made me feel welcome.

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“I’ve made great memories at this football club and will always appreciate my time here. Now it’s time to go onto my next challenge.

“Thanks for all your support. All the best Everton.” (Blue heart emoji)

Godfrey made 93 appearances in total for the Blues, including 15 last season, but while he seems himself primarily as a centre-back, only a couple of his outings last term were in the heart of defence as Sean Dyche primarily deployed him at right-back. In a club statement, when announcing his departure, Everton said: “Everyone at Everton thanks Ben for his service to the club and wishes him all the best for the future.”