Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has revealed his excitement at being handed the iconic blue number nine shirt for the new season.
The 22-year-old Blues forward posted to his Instagram account a picture of himself wearing the no.9 shirt in the tunnel ahead of the Blues' friendly game against Werder Bremen at the weekend, with the words: "Big season ahead #DCL9"
He inherits the shirt from Sandro Ramirez and follows in the footsteps of some legendary Everton centre forwards who have worn the shirt ahead of him, like Dixie Dean, Tommy Lawton, Dave Hickson, Joe Royle, Bob Latchford, Graeme Sharp and Duncan Ferguson.
It's a big show of faith from Marco Silva in the Sheffield-born striker, especially with the club having just brought in Italian striker Moise Kean from Juventus, who will be wearing the number 27 shirt.
Calvert-Lewin was given an extended break by Marco Silva after taking part in England's European U21 Championship campaign earlier this summer and wasted no time on his return to training in showing off his amazing work ethic.
He established himself as Marco Silva's first choice striker towards the end of last season and in June expressed his desire to lead the line on a more regular basis for the Blues.
Calvert-Lewin has scored 17 goals in 93 appearances so far for Everton after signing for £1.5m from Sheffield United in 2016, and signed a new deal with the club last December which will keep him at Goodison until summer 2023.
