Stanley Mills scored for Everton U21s as he returned after more than a year out
Everton starlet Stanley Mills said he “loved being back out there” as he played his first minutes in more than a year.
The 21-year-old started for the Blues Under-21s on Friday night as the academy side hosted Leeds United. They lost 3-1, failing to recover from a terrible start that saw them concede twice in the first eight minutes.
But it was still a positive day for Mills, who marked his return with a goal from a penalty that he won.
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It was Mills’ first outing since he was stretchered off with a severe injury while on loan at Oxford United in January of last year. He had been playing a key role in the club’s League One promotion campaign when he suffered heartbreak against Coventry City in the FA Cup third round.
It has been a long, challenging road to recovery but one he is now at the end of. Following his first competitive action since his injury, he told the club website: “I really enjoyed it. I loved being back out there and I’ve missed it. 2024 was a really tough year for me, and just to be back out on the pitch, doing what I love is amazing and long may it continue.”
