Everton starlet produces more heroics after England breakthrough and wider attention

Douglass Lukjanciks saved a penalty to help nine-man Everton U18s to a draw at Middlesbrough

Academy goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks has earned the praise of his Everton boss as he ended a stellar month with a big performance. The teenager saved a penalty as he kept a clean sheet as the Blues under-18s drew at Middlesbrough - a result earned with nine men after two of his team0mates were sent off.

It was the latest highlight in the 17-year-old’s season - one that saw him take another step forward in his international journey this month.

Lukjanciks produced the crucial stop as Everton travelled to the north east for their U18s Premier League (North) clash at the weekend. His performance came less than 24 hours after he was named on the bench at Finch Farm in the Under-21s’ home defeat to Aston Villa

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On his number one’s heroics, U18s boss Keith Southern said: “I’m delighted for Doug. He showed really good character, and really good personality with a brilliant penalty save.

“Not only that but he made a few stops throughout and everything he did was really positive.”

Lukjanciks is highly-rated at Everton, where he has risen through the ranks since joining as an U12s player. Born in Latvia, he grew up on Merseyside and was playing grassroots football when he first joined the Blues.

Last October he signed his first professional contract with the club after turning 17 and his star has only continued to rise.

Still aged 17, he was one of two Everton talents to feature for the England U19s earlier this month - selected alongside Harrison Armstrong, who already has first-team experience and joined Preston North End on loan on deadline day.

Lukjanciks made his U19s debut in the 3-3 draw with Spain, starting that match - which Armstrong came off the bench to score a late equaliser in.

His progress has captured wider attention and this week he was profiled on the Rising Ballers Instagram page alongside Blues team-mate - and another player who has received England youth recognition - Malik Olayiwola.

The account, which tracks the highest-rated youngsters around the country, has nearly 3m followers.

Lukjanciks is one of a clutch of highly thought of players climbing through the Everton ranks.

Young forward Braiden Graham, who signed from Linfield last summer, joined him on the first team training camp in Scotland at the start of pre-season, and added to his tally with the U21s in the Villa game.

Like Lukjanciks, the Northern Ireland youth international is just 17, the same age as Justin Clarke, who was given minutes off the bench by David Moyes in pre-season.

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