England international Jack Grealish is set to be handed a squad number that holds special importance to him after joining Everton on a season-long loan. The 29-year-old is looking to regroup after a difficult couple of years at Manchester City and will join the Toffees for the 2025-26 campaign in a deal that also gives them a £50 million buy option.
In making the move, Grealish will also be forced to take a new shirt number, with the 10 that he has worn at the Etihad and at Aston Villa currently being occupied by last season's Evertonian standout Iliman Ndiaye. However, Grealish is set to land on an alternative that will mean just as much to him and also has a rich history in the blue half of Merseyside.
Grealish to Wear Historic Everton Number
Manchester City's Jack Grealish
According to The Telegraph's Mike McGrath, Grealish is set to take the number 18 at Everton, which was last worn by Ashley Young until his contract expired this summer. There is no history linking Grealish to the number during his professional career, although he did wear it previously while representing the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level back in the 2013/14 season.
As for the inspiration behind the choice, it is said that Grealish is looking to follow in the footsteps of two of his idols - Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney - both of whom sported 18 on their backs during their time at Goodison Park. Speaking ahead of Euro 2020, Grealish revealed his admiration for both players and commented specifically on comparisons being made between himself and the maverick Gascoigne.
"If you look back and think of Gazza at Italia 90, that is where he first made a… well he was obviously still well known before, but I think everyone remembers him for that tournament especially. You look at Wayne Rooney in Euro 2004 - I think that was where he set his marker to say: 'I am going to be one of the best in the world'. I am hoping to follow in their footsteps and hopefully I can do that if I get more chances in this tournament.
"I would love to be compared to Gazza. He is an absolute icon. Him, along with Rooney, were probably the greatest England players over the last 20, 30 years. I know there’s been a load of good players - but they are my top two. Gazza would be first."
Aside from Gascoigne, Rooney and Young, just 11 other players have worn the shirt in Everton history. Mo Johnston was the first, before Joe Parkinson, Mickael Madar, David Weir and Terry Phelan.
After Rooney, former Manchester United defender Phil Neville took the mantle, while another ex-Red Devil in Morgan Schneiderlin has also wore the 18 for the Toffees.
Everton's Previous No. 18s
Ashley Young
Niels Nkounkou
Morgan Schneiderlin
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Gareth Barry
Phil Neville
Wayne Rooney
Paul Gascoigne
Stephen Hughes
Terry Phelan
David Weir
Mickael Madar
Joe Parkinson
Mo Johnston