Everton have signed Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City with an option to buy for £50m.
Grealish’s loan spell comes after he was left out of City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad this summer due to poor form, which saw him score just six goals in 68 appearances across the last two seasons.
City consequently sanctioned a loan move to give Grealish maximum playing time opportunity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Everton having a non-mandatory option to sign the winger for £50m next summer.
Should Everton opt to activate their option of a permanent transfer, Grealish would depart City with 17 goals in 157 appearances plus seven trophies.
Following confirmation of his loan switch and securing the number 18 shirt, Grealish spoke to evertontv. as he described his move as “massive” following chats with manager, David Moyes.
“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.”
Grealish also explained that he chose the number 18 shirt as homage to Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney, who he idolised.
“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 before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well!”
Moyes added: “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.”
Grealish began his career at Highgate United in their youth academy before he moved to Aston Villa, where he helped the Villains win 2012-13 NextGen Series, before he spent 2013-14 season on loan at Notts County which saw him net five goals and create seven assists in 38 appearances.
Upon his return to Villa at the end of that season, he went on to make his senior debut for the Villains in a 4-0 Premier League defeat at Man City in May 2014.
Grealish subsequently on to score 32 goals in 213 appearances for Villa in eight seasons, across which they were relegated at end of 2015-16 to the Championship – where they spent three seasons before they won promotion back to the top flight via 2019 Play-Offs.
August 2021 saw Grealish leave Villa for Man City in a then English transfer record which saw him proceed to help City to three consecutive Premier League titles, plus featured in their treble-winning 202-23 campaign as the Cityzens also won FA Cup and Champions League that season.
UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup success followed later in 2023 in a season where he lost form and even went on a near 13-month run without a goal, until he found the net in a 8-0 home demolition of Salford in the FA Cup in January 2025.
Grealish however netted twice at international level for England during that period which marked his third and fourth of four goals scored in 39 senior caps for the Three Lions, having made his debut in a goalless draw against Denmark in September 2020.
The winger however had switched his national allegiance from Ireland to England in September 2015 despite having represented Ireland at Under-17 and 21 levels, and scored twice for England’s U21s in their successful 2016 Toulon Tournament campaign.
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