Tyler Dibling completed his £40 million switch to Premier League Everton on Monday, and he posted his farewell message to Southampton fans as swiftly as he could.
The Saints youth academy graduate was sold for £30 million plus £5 million in add-ons to the Toffees, as the Merseyside club beat fellow suitors Tottenham and Crystal Palace to his signature.
Dibling’s sale goes down as pure profit, boosting Will Still’s bid to improve his squad before deadline day. EFL Analysis’ Chief Football Finance Expert Adam Williams thinks Southampton need to make more sales. That’s even after letting Aaron Ramsdale join Newcastle on loan and Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu leaving. Will Smallbone is also being linked with £7.5 million exit.
For now, though, Saints fans will be processing the departure of their homegrown player – and he’s taken to Instagram to express how grateful he is for his time at St Mary’s.
Tyler Dibling claps the Southampton fans
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Tyler Dibling wishes Southampton ‘nothing but the best’ after Everton switch
19-year-old Dibling made his Southampton debut at the age of 17 in 2023. He has since made 44 appearances, scoring four goals, and made his Premier League bow last August.
“Thank you Saints,” he wrote with a red love heart emoji as he posted a photo of him in the academy and a snap of his goal against Crystal Palace in the 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park last December.
“From joining as an 8 year old to making my debut and playing in the Premier League, I am grateful and proud of the past 11 years,” he continued.
“I want to thank all those who helped me on my journey both past and present, coaches, staff and teammates. I wish the club nothing but the best for the future. Ty.”
Dibling had only played seven minutes in all competitions this season prior to his move, coming on in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich.
He was not included in Still’s squad for wins against Wrexham or Northampton Town or the recent 2-1 loss to Stoke City while placed on individual training as his move was being completed.
Now, he could return to football by making his Everton debut as soon as Wednesday evening.
Can Tyler Dibling play for Everton in the Carabao Cup second round?
The Toffees host League One Mansfield Town on Wednesday evening in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Dibling, who penned a four year deal with Everton on Monday, appears to be eligible to play in the fixture as per the competition rules, according to journalist Alan Myers.
He did not appear on Southampton’s teamsheet for their round one fixture against Northampton, so is not cup-tied.
Rule 6.1 states a player must be a “Registered Player” in order to be eligible to participate in a competition match.
Rule 6.2 clarifies the condition as a star who ‘would be registered and eligible to participate in a Premier League and/or League Match commencing at the same time and on the same date as the Competition Match in accordance with the Premier League Rules and/or the League Regulations, or would have been but for the operation of the Premier League Rule U.1.1 or League Regulation 44.9 (as amended from time to time).