Iliman Ndiaye has etched his name into Everton’s history by scoring both the club’s final goals at Goodison Park and the very first at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
On 18 May 2025, Everton closed a defining chapter in their story as they bid farewell to Goodison Park, their home since the 1890s.
The Premier League fixture against Southampton marked the end of an era, with David Moyes’ side sealing a 2-0 win.
On that day, Ndiaye, signed the previous summer from Marseille, delivered a fitting send-off by scoring twice – becoming the last man to find the net at the historic ground.
Just three months later, the Senegal international provided another historic moment.
Everton’s inaugural Premier League fixture at their new 52,000-seater Hill Dickinson Stadium came against Brighton on 24 August 2025.
In the 23rd minute, Ndiaye converted a pass from Jack Grealish to open the scoring, ensuring his name would forever be tied to both the closing of Goodison Park and the dawning of a new era.
The forward’s achievement has already taken on symbolic significance for the club and its supporters.
To score the last goals at one stadium steeped in over a century of football tradition and then the first at its state-of-the-art replacement is a feat that few could have imagined.
Ndiaye himself admitted the milestone was something he had only ever dreamt of as he continues to establish himself as a central figure in Moyes’ side.
For Everton, the transition to their new home marks a bold step forward, reflecting their ambition to compete at the highest level in modern football.
Iliman Ndiaye continues to write his name into Everton history. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/SOZ4ARtSOY
— Everton (@Everton) August 24, 2025
Yet Ndiaye’s goals ensure that the emotional bridge between past and future remains intact, providing fans with a narrative that links two generations of Toffees history.
Ndiaye’s impact since his arrival from Marseille has been considerable.
Not only has he delivered decisive goals in key moments, but he has also embraced the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the number 10 shirt for a club of Everton’s stature.
His ability to rise to historic occasions suggests he will be pivotal as the Toffees look to carve out new memories in their modern home.
Everton’s move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium may represent a physical relocation, but Ndiaye’s goals have provided continuity in the club’s identity.
From the echoes of past glories to the excitement of new beginnings, his place in Everton folklore is already assured.
