Everton academy prospect Matos has been rewarded for his impressive development after earning a place in the club’s Under-21 setup for the upcoming campaign.
The youngster made 15 appearances for Everton’s U18 side during his first season before featuring 22 times last term. He also captained the U18s on five occasions and made his debut for the club’s U21 team.
Reflecting on his progression, Matos described the opportunity as a significant milestone in his young career.
“It means a lot. It’s a step in the right direction to keep on pushing and it’s a good moment — a dream come true. I’m really happy with it,” he said.
Matos believes his development accelerated last season, particularly after helping the team enjoy a successful league campaign and a strong run in the Youth Cup.
“I developed a lot last season. We did very well in the league and we did well in the Youth Cup. I feel it was an achievement to become captain a few times,” he added.
“I’ve developed quite a bit from when I first came here to then become captain, so that was a really proud moment for me.”
Everton have also made significant changes to their academy structure ahead of the new season.
The club’s U21 side will be led by recently appointed Dave Hughes, who has taken on a new role as Everton’s Head of Academy Player Development, while Matthew Taylor has been appointed Head Coach of the U18 team.
Matos has welcomed the changes and believes the new coaching staff have created a positive environment at the academy.
“The new faces have been really welcoming. They’ve got a plan and strategy, and I believe in that plan. They’ve been very, very vocal on what they want from us, and we just have to implement what they want,” he said.
“The mood is really, really high when you come into Finch Farm. It feels really happy.
“With the new staff members, they always come in and make sure you’re okay. I think with the coaches, they care. And that’s one of the main things.
“It’s a brilliant group to be a part of. My teammates are great lads. They’re a good laugh off the pitch, but on the pitch they’re amazing.”
Matos is eligible to represent both Ghana and England at senior international level, giving him the option of choosing between the two countries as his career continues to develop
