His eventual arrival was neither unexpected nor greeted with universal approval by Evertonians, but a few things are not in doubt.
Jack Grealish loves Everton, Evertonians and everything to do with this football club.
If the barometer of a good signing is the player wanting to be here – desperate to be here, even – the signing of Grealish is a good one.
For too long, players have arrived at Goodison or the HDS with the attitude that the club is lucky to have them.
Not so Grealish. He couldn’t be more delighted to be here.
And on a grim day, whatever your view on what Grealish can bring to this team, it’s worth, at the very least, acknowledging this…
Grealish is loving being an Everton player
Since returning to the club, Grealish has hardly hidden his enthusiasm.
The shirts, the social media posts, the celebrations and the obvious affection for the supporters haven’t felt like somebody going through the motions after another transfer.
He wanted the move. He got the move. And he looks delighted about it.
There will naturally be questions over the football.
Grealish is 30, his best years at Manchester City appeared to be behind him and Everton have committed to another season-long loan rather than finding a younger, longer-term solution.
All fair.
But football supporters also want players who understand what pulling on the shirt means to them.
Grealish might not have grown up an Evertonian, but there is something rather endearing about just how quickly he appears to have become one.
After scoring the winner at Bournemouth on Saturday, his reaction told its own story. Grealish celebrated with the travelling Evertonians before later posting about the victory on Instagram.
Perhaps none of that should be overstated. Goals, assists and performances will ultimately determine whether bringing Grealish back was the right decision.
But Deadline Day left plenty of Evertonians wondering exactly where the club was heading.
So we’ll take the small wins where we can find them.
Jack Grealish wanted Everton.
And, right now, he looks very happy that Everton wanted him too.
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