Colin Chong assumed the role this week on top of his other role as Chief Stadium Development Officer overseeing construction of the new stadium by main contractor Laing O’Rourke.

Chong joined Everton from Laing O’Rourke in 2016.

His first major announcement as CEO was to confirm the stadium was “on track and on-schedule”

Chong said: “A precise moving-in date for our new stadium has never been publicly set by the Club. We have repeatedly stated that the schedule of the development will see the keys for our new home handed to us from Laing O’Rourke during the 2024/25 season.

“When a new stadium is completed from a build perspective, it must be put through its paces and the building tested. We will be working on the planning for those test events with the aim of them taking place in the final months of 2024.

“This means we won’t be starting the 2024 season at Everton Stadium – but, to reiterate, the Club has never publicly confirmed an intention to begin the 2024/25 season at our new home.

“What I can say categorically is that, today, the project is several weeks ahead of schedule, with another winter to come.”