Jack Grealish has completed his season-long loan move to Everton from Manchester City and the England winger has explained why he chose the No 18 shirt at Goodison Park
16:46, 12 Aug 2025Updated 16:49, 12 Aug 2025
Jack Grealish during the 2024-25 season
Jack Grealish has completed his move to Everton(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish has chosen the No 18 shirt at Everton, following in the path of his footballing heroes Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney.
The England winger has joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Manchester City, with Everton having the option to make it permanent next summer for a cool £50m.
Everton will be footing most of Grealish's wages, which are rumoured to total around £12m. Grealish, 29, made the move to City in 2021 as part of a whopping £100m deal but has since fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola.
Now he's hoping to reignite his career at Hill Dickinson Stadium, sporting the No 18 shirt that his idols famously wore at Everton. "There is a reason for [choosing number 18]," he explained.
"There were other numbers but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore number 18 here. So, as soon as I knew this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me and it was the only number I was going to take from that point.", reports the Mirror.
Wayne Rooney wore No.18 at Everton in his first spell
Wayne Rooney once wore 18 at Everton(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
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"I spoke to Wayne [Rooney] before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he's happy as well!".
Rooney donned the number during his initial stint at the club before he moved on to Manchester United and carved out his legendary status with England. Grealish is pinning his hopes on regular playtime at Everton to catch the eye of Thomas Tuchel for next summer's World Cup.
But first, he needs to shine for the Toffees.
He expressed: "I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton - It's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans. "As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.
"On social media, I've been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there's that side of it as well and that's another reason why I chose Everton. I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I've had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I'm sure I will."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Jack Grealish of Manchester City signs autographs during a training session open to the public advertised as the 'City are Back' event at Joie Stadium on August 05, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Grealish is hoping to get back in the England team(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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During his tenure at City, Grealish bagged three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. However, he clocked just 715 minutes for City in the Premier League last season after slipping down the ranks.
Everton gaffer David Moyes commented: "I think we're getting him at a good time because he's experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we're all fully aware of the levels he's capable of performing to. I know Jack's ambition is to get back into the England squad so hopefully we can help him achieve that over the course of the season.
"We're all looking forward to working with him and providing a platform for him to show the best version of himself."