Braiden Graham says an emotional goodbye to Linfield as he completes the Everton swap. Teenager acknowledges the Blues for their part in his career as he moves to the Premier League. Braiden Graham expressed an emotional goodbye to Linfield after completing his transfer to Everton. The adolescent sensation congratulated the Blues for their remarkable journey, which saw him arrive at Windsor Park as a little lad and leave having made a significant impression despite his youth.
In March 2023, he became Linfield’s youngest ever player, coming off the bench in a league game against Dungannon Swifts at the age of 15 years and 137 days. Given the teenager’s impressive performance in the reserve squad, manager David Healy had no reservations about putting him in the first team. Graham went on to score a critical extra-time level for Healy’s side before converting a penalty in last season’s BetMcLean Cup quarter-final shootout victory over Larne. “He made his debut against Dungannon six months ago, and people asked, ‘What does he give you?'” “Well, Braiden scored goals, and that was an incredible finish for such a young lad,” commented his manager at the time.
Healy also gave Graham his first start in a key league game against the Invermen at the close of the season. The Northern Ireland Under-19 international has already said his goodbyes to the Blues, meeting up with Healy and the rest of the squad.
His time at Windsor may have come to an end, but that chapter of his life will live on in memory. “Thank you Linfield for the last eight years I couldn’t ask for a better journey than what I had,” the striker’s son added. “From being a small eight-year-old youngster attending first-team games at Windsor Park to becoming Linfield’s youngest player and scorer. I wish the crew all the best and thank you for your assistance.”
Graham is the latest young talent to rise through the ranks at Linfield before moving across the pond. The former East Coast Strikers player expects more to come. “Linfield have a great Academy and over the last few years they have developed so many great players who have transferred to clubs across the water and are now doing really well at their clubs,” added the captain. “They continue to generate a lot of talent, and I wholeheartedly recommend the Linfield Academy to any aspiring young footballer.
“It will be sad to leave Linfield because I have been here for so long and have a lot of good friends at the club, but I have to take that next step now by moving to England, but I’ll miss Linfield and will always support them.”
