---
title: "Everton reward academy midfielder with first professional contract"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-melvin-matos-first-professional-contract/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton Academy News"
published: "2026-08-14T13:20:08Z"
modified: "2026-08-14T13:20:14Z"
---

# Everton reward academy midfielder with first professional contract

**Everton have handed midfielder Melvin Matos his first professional contract, tying him to the club until the end of June 2028.**

The 17-year-old signed for Everton in 2024, arriving from Bedford, and wasted little time making an impression at Under-18s level.

He made 15 league appearances in his debut season and scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers in April 2025. He has since progressed into the club’s Under-21s setup.

Matos models his game on N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele, and cites his energy and ball-winning as his main strengths — attributes that have caught the eye of Everton’s academy staff as he’s moved up through the age groups.

The deal is confirmation that the club continues to back its Under-18s pipeline, with Matos the latest academy graduate to be handed a senior deal after progressing through the ranks at Finch Farm.

Everton’s Under-21s squad has been building depth this season, and Matos now joins that group with a long-term contract in place.

It’s a low-key but significant marker for a player Everton clearly see a future in, even if first-team involvement remains some way off.

Expect more detail on his pathway — loan interest, Under-21s minutes — to firm up over the coming months.

For updates on other ins and out at the club, follow our [live transfer tracker](https://readeverton.com/2026/08/13/everton-2026-summer-transfer-tracker-every-deal-live/).