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Former Everton striker James Vaughan has spoken of his excitement about rejoining the Blues and playing a key role in Everton’s new Academy structure as the Club’s Loans Pathway Manager. Vaughan 34, has moved from Tranmere Rovers where he became the Sporting Director at the age of 33.

Speaking to evertontv interview, the former Blues striker spoke about conversations he has had with both Director of Football Kevin Thelwell and Academy Director Gareth Prosser about Everton’s vision and how he fits into that vision.

Speaking to evertontv Vaughan said :

“It feels like I’ve come home. Tranmere gave me a massive opportunity and the people who worked there were fantastic with me.

But Everton is where grew up as a kid and I couldn’t turn down the chance to come back here. It’s the club that’s closest to my heart.

In my role, I will be monitoring the lads who are out on loan and giving them any support they need. Further from that, it will be concentrating on the next players who need to go out on loan, making sure we get the right loans for them and giving them the best opportunity to be successful.”

In relation to working with Kevin Thelwell and New Academy Director Gareth Prosser, Vaughan gave some insight into how much he is looking forward to working with both, he said :

“The conversations have been really refreshing. There have been a lot of ideas and a lot of thought going into what’s happening here. It’s a really exciting time to join the Club.

Everyone is looking to build something, progress and maintain the traditions of this club in getting Academy players into the First Team.

It’s what this club is about – and hopefully we can see some success from us all being unified and together.

Kevin Thelwell has been brilliant with me. At my age, to work alongside someone him is a massive opportunity. It’s one of the biggest reasons I wanted to come here.

Kevin’s knowledge and experience is something I really want to tap into and get as much as I can out of.”

For more from this interview check out evertonfc.com

Vaughan made 60 First-Team appearances for Everton, scoring nine goals. He remains the Premier League’s youngest-ever scorer, having scored the Toffees fourth goal in a 4-0 win against Crystal Palace aged just 16 years and 270 days in 2005.