The former England Und1 international right-back was introduced to the first team immediately and made his debut in a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Kenny’s appearance in Ayrshire was one of only 14 league appearances for the Hoops before he returned to Goodison in the aftermath of a catastrophic campaign for the champions who saw their nine-year domination of the domestic scene come shuddering to a calamitous halt.
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Everton could be handed pre-season blow by star who sparked famous Carlo Ancelotti reaction
Everton will be greeted by some familiar faces this Saturday when they make the short journey to Salford for the team’s second pre-season match. Two former blues who have had somewhat similar career paths now find themselves in League 2 with Salford City.
Luke Garbutt and Conor McAleny both came up through the ranks at The Toffees and both enjoyed brief spells with the first team. Injuries, setbacks, and countless loan deals led to the both of them permanently leaving the club disappointed. With the two 31-year-olds perhaps with something to prove to their former club this Saturday, let’s take a look at how they’ve both go to the point they’re at now.
Luke Garbutt arrived from Leeds in 2009, at the age of 16, with plenty of promise having already racked up 29 appearances for England at U16 and U17 level. Then Everton academy manager, Ray Hull, said of the left-back at the time of his £600k signing: “This is very much a transfer for the future of Everton”. Unfortunately for Garbutt, his time at Everton is perhaps remembered most for Carlo Ancelotti’s bemused response of “Who?” when asked about the player’s departure in a press conference.
That might be an unfair assessment in reflection. It’s hard to remember now but in 2015, after a handful of promising starts including both legs in the Europa League Round of 16 tie against BSC Young Boys, the Yorkshireman was thought by some to be Leighton Baines’ long term successor at left-back. Roberto Martinez was clearly one of those as he offered Garbutt a 5-year deal that would run through to his exit from the club in 2020.
After 11 years at the club, and six different loans, Garbutt joined Blackpool where he would enjoy a fruitful 3-year stint on the north-west coast. Garbutt was part of the The Tangerines League One playoff victory in the 21/22 season.
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