Everton have appointed former Toffees player James Vaughan as their new loans manager, according to The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland.
The Lowdown: Vaughan’s career
Graduating from the Blues' academy, the centre-forward went on to enjoy a six-year tenure at Goodison Park, including loans to Derby County, Leicester City and Crystal Palace, before making the permanent move to Norwich City in 2011 (via Transfermarkt).
Vaughan became the Premier League’s youngster ever goal-scorer in 2005 after he netted against Palace as a 16-year-old – beating James Milner’s record at Leeds United by 86 days.
The forward retired in 2021 after a short stint with Tranmere Rovers.
The Latest: Boyland’s news
Boyland has now revealed that the 34-year-old is set to return to Goodison Park in a new capacity.
Taking to Twitter, the reliable journalist said:
“Understand James Vaughan will be Everton's new loans manager. Joins from Tranmere where he was sporting director & will start next week.
“Another sign of Kevin Thelwell making his mark behind the scenes.”
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The Verdict: Great move by Thelwell
Vaughan’s return to Everton demonstrates Thelwell’s intent to get young players from the academy graduating through to the first-team.
As per The Athletic, the Toffees director of football has been looking to ensure the club can establish a better pathway for young players to work their way up to the first-team, having already hired Gareth Prosser as his academy director this summer.
Having worked as Tranmere’s sporting director, Vaughan will add experience to the academy ranks, with a familiar face who knows the club good to have around youngsters trying to break through as professionals on Merseyside.