Midfielder, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has completed a £29m transfer to Everton from Chelsea.
Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea in July 2024 from Leicester just weeks after manager, Enzo Maresca made the same move, but the 26-year-old struggled to make much impact with five goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Dewsbury-Hall’s five goals however came on the international stage as he scored four goals within the UEFA Conference League, which ultimately saw Chelsea beat Real Betis to clinch the title in last season’s final.
He then scored against Benfica in a 4-1 Round of 16 victory at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he made five appearances as Chelsea eventually clinched the title to complete a cup double.
Maresca however decided that Dewsbury-Hall wasn’t part of his future plans and has greenlit a move to Everton, with the Toffees having agreed a £25m fixed fee plus £4m in add-ons totalling £29m for the midfielder who has signed a five-year contract until June 2030.
In his first interview with evertontv., Dewsbury-Hall explained that he can’t wait to play for the Toffees.
“I’m so, so excited to get started. Just sitting here in the stadium, it’s unbelievable.
“I’m honestly very excited, my family’s excited. There’s a real buzz about this. It feels right for me. So just that alone gives me the motivation and the extra determination to show everybody, to prove a point and have a really successful time here.
“Everton’s one of the biggest clubs in the country, and I think that in the next couple of years, the future is going to be bright. It was an easy decision in the end to come here and play for this club.”
Everton are moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season and the midfielder is excited to be part of a new era for the club and their “passionate” fans.
“You look at the stadium – it’s incredible. Obviously, I’ve played in all of the Premier League stadiums, and this is one of, if not the most impressive, so that in itself is a major, major exciting factor for wanting to join.
“Then the fan base is one of the most passionate in the country, so I know if we start playing well and I start showing the fans what I’m about, it’s going to be a big, big bonus to help me and the team show our best. So that’s what I want.”
Dewsbury-Hall also credited manager, David Moyes for persuading him to leave West London behind after one season with his plans for consolidating him into the squad.
“For me to leave my old club, it would have had to have been for something special, a project that I really believed in. After speaking to the manager and seeing the ambitions with the new stadium and everything, it felt like the right club, it felt like the right fit for me for the next step.
“I have enormous respect for him, he’s a legend of the game, so it’ll be a pleasure to work under him.”
Moyes added that he is “pleased” to complete Dewsbury-Hall’s transfer as he hopes that the midfielder’s experience will enable him to adapt to the club’s standards quickly.
“Kiernan’s quality and experience of the Premier League gives us the hope that he can adapt quickly.
“We look forward to working with him and I’m sure all Evertonians will give him the support he needs.”
Dewsbury-Hall began his career at Leicester where he made his senior debut in January 2020 in a 1-0 away at Brentford, before he was loaned to Blackpool for the rest of that season which saw him net four goals in 10 appearances for the Tangerines.
The following season saw him make his first start for Leicester in a 2-0 Carabao Cup exit at Arsenal but he was soon loaned to Luton, where he managed three goals in 40 appearances.
Summer 2021 saw him return to Leicester and successfully become a first-team regular for the following three seasons, during which they won the 2021 FA Community Shield and 2023-24 Championship title as he managed 17 goals in 129 total appearances.
Leave a Reply