Leyton Orient has announced the signing of former Everton midfielder Lewis Warrington on a free transfer after his contract expired with The Toffees.
The 21-year-old, who signs a two-year contract, is The O’s fourth summer addition following Sonny Perkins, Charlie Kelman, and Diallang Jaiyesimi.
Lewis said this when chatting with the club’s media crew.
“I was eager to come down here and sign as soon as I heard that Orient were interested. Meeting the gaffer made my decision clear; even if there were other people interested, I had only ever wanted to visit this location after talking to him.
He was a midfield player once, so I’m excited to pick his brain. I’m thrilled to be a part of this group because it seems like it’s growing.”
Who is Lewis Warrington?
Originating from the Everton system, Lewis progressed through the ranks and made his first-team debut against Sheffield United on match day 37.
During the final half of the 21/22 season, he went on loan from Everton to Tranmere Rovers, where he played 17 games, scored once, and provided two assists. After rejoining Everton, the midfield player played 38 games and provided one assist while on loan at Fleetwood Town, a League One team at the time.
He continued his rise through the footballing pyramid last season with a six-month loan spell at the start of the 23/24 season. He joined Plymouth Argyle but struggled to break into the first team only playing twice in the Championship, before returning to Everton.
What will he bring to The O’s midfield?
In his final stint in League One, Warrington played consistently for the first team. He won 59.4% of his tackles, recovered a total of 247 balls, and had a 67.9% success rate when dribbling out of 19 attempts, placing him in the 79% percentile for central midfielders. His team at Fleetwood was more direct and didn’t try to control the ball, but he still showed off his incredible passing talent by completing 1215 passes with a success rate of 78.7% and a long ball accuracy of 57%, placing him in the 89% percentile.
It is also a nice addition for The O’s, who were starting to look a little light in the middle of the park following the departure of Max Sanders and the expiration of Idris El Mizouni’s loan. According to Martin Ling, director of football, Lewis is capable of playing in the six or eight midfield positions.
This will provide The O’s greater tactical flexibility by enabling them to play with a single or double pivot in midfield, depending on the opposition.
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