Everton have completed a £42m signing of winger, Tyler Dibling from Southampton.
Having made just five appearances in 2023-24 season as the Saints won promotion to the Premier League via Championship Play-Offs, Dibling established himself as a top talent last season with four goals and two assists in 38 appearances as Southampton suffered relegation.
The 19-year-old subsequently found himself the subject of rejected bids from Everton this summer until Southampton made a counter offer to sell for £42m, which consisted of a £36m fixed fee plus £6m in add-ons and a 20% sell-on clause that was duly accepted by Everton.
Dibling has signed a five-year contract at Hill Dickinson Stadium until June 2030 and will wear the number 20 shirt, which ended his third stint at St Mary’s Stadium where he scored four goals in 44 senior appearances.
The youngster in his first interview with evertontv. spoke of his joy to make the move North and be part of the new project.
“I’m buzzing to sign. I felt the Club already, even before I was in the building, just from social media and from people telling me about the Club. I’ve never been so excited to play football and I’m just ready to get going.
“I think it’s the perfect match because of where the Club is right now. Obviously with the new stadium, the fans here are unreal and it has a family feel to it. I think it was the perfect fit and was a no-brainer to join.
“I think I’ve come to Everton at the perfect time and hopefully I can be here for many years.”
Dibling also spoke of his pride at featuring in the last-ever men’s senior match at Goodison Park albeit on the away team for Southampton, and felt that the new stadium was “unbelievable” in the Toffees’ victory against Brighton.
“I also played in the last Men’s game at Goodison. It was so loud. I was looking around and thinking, ‘This is quality’. That was a really good insight for me into what it’s like here with the fans and the atmosphere they can create.
“There’s no better feeling than when you’re doing well in football and to feel that love from the fans is one of the best feelings ever. I’m excited to play here.”
With David Moyes in charge, Dibling is confident that he can adapt to life on Merseyside given Moyes’ experience as a manager with players like himself.
“I think the manager is perfect for me. Obviously he’s helped so many players before who were in my position. I’ve spoken to him and I know he’s going to be good for me.
“There are so many players here to learn from, real quality players like Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye.”
Dibling also teased fans on what they can expect from him this season and beyond.
“I’d say the wow factor in my game is my dribbling. That’s what I’m best at and that’s what I want to excite the fans, and I hope I’ll get to do a lot of it.
“My aim for this season is just to play as many games as I can and to help the team as much as I can with goals and assists. As a team, hopefully we can have a good season and see where it goes.”
Moyes added: “He is a talented young English player with lots of potential.
“Tyler adds to our attacking options and we will support him in his future development.
“We are eager to build a team that Evertonians can enjoy watching and be proud of, and Tyler can help us achieve that.”
Dibling began his career at Axminister Town before a brief spell at Millwey Rise ahead of an initial year-long stint at Southampton from 2012-13, which was followed by a season at Exeter before he returned to the Saints from 2014-22 for a second lengthy stint.
The now 19-year-old spent two months at Chelsea from July – September 2022 but returned to Southampton due to confidence issues in West London, in a move which paved the way for his senior breakthrough.
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