Latest transfer news from BirminghamLive as Aston Villa icon joins Everton on season-long loan
Jack Grealish has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Image: Everton FC
Jack Grealish has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Image: Everton FC
Aston Villa icon Jack Grealish spoke to Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney before opting to join Everton on a season-long loan.
The 29-year-old, who joined Manchester City from Villa for a then-record British transfer fee of £100m in August 2021, will wear the number 18 shirt for Everton - and admitted a special reason for his choice.
He told the Everton club website: “There is a reason. 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.
"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.”
Grealish has been looking for an exit from Etihad Stadium after making only seven Premier League starts for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, seeking regular football ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
He becomes Everton’s sixth summer signing following the arrivals of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Adam Aznou.
Grealish added: "I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton - It's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans.
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"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."
Grealish has won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup since joining City from Villa.
He was integral to the City side that completed a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble in 2022/23 but was hampered by injury in the following campaign and has since fallen down the pecking order.
Grealish said he was “heartbroken” to have been left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad last summer and is targeting a return to the international arena under Thomas Tuchel as the World Cup looms large.