---
title: "Everton to give Braiden Graham more first-team training exposure this pre-season"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-to-give-braiden-graham-more-first-team-training-exposure-this-pre-season/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-06-29T13:38:48Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T12:50:47Z"
---

# Everton to give Braiden Graham more first-team training exposure this pre-season

**Everton plan to give Braiden Graham increased exposure to first-team training as part of his development this summer, with the club set to use his pre-season involvement to decide whether a loan move or a place closer to David Moyes’ squad best suits him next season.**

According to [Patrick Boyland of The Athletic](https://x.com/Paddy_Boyland), Everton will assess Graham’s progress over the coming weeks before settling on a direction, weighing up regular senior football away from Goodison against the value of working daily alongside Moyes’ first-team group.

It’s the clearest indication yet of how Everton plan to handle one of their most exciting academy products, with the 18-year-old having scored 25 goals in 34 appearances at youth level last season and already been handed his first senior Northern Ireland call-up.

### Why the timing matters

Graham was included in two first-team matchday squads last term, away at Nottingham Forest and at home in the FA Cup exit to Sunderland, without making his senior debut. Talks over a new contract have also opened in recent weeks, with his current deal due to expire in June 2027.

Giving him an extended look in first-team training before deciding his next step suggests Everton want first-hand evidence of where he stands physically and tactically before committing to either path — rather than defaulting straight to an EFL loan, as has been widely expected.

Keep an eye on the [news pages](https://readeverton.com/news/) as Everton’s pre-season plans take shape.