Everton have secured the services of England international Jack Grealish from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal, in a significant move aimed at revitalising both his career and Everton’s creative engine heading into the 2025–26 Premier League campaign.
The 29-year-old midfielder will don the No 18 shirt at Goodison Park—an emblematic number once worn by club legends Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne—infusing both nostalgia and expectation into the high-profile signing.
Grealish’s arrival is more than just a transfer—it’s a lifeline for a player who has endured a challenging spell at City, where opportunities have dwindled.
Under Pep Guardiola’s management, his game time plummeted: last season he made only seven Premier League starts, did not feature in the Club World Cup squad, and saw his minutes severely limited due to recurring injuries.
Everton manager David Moyes welcomed the move, hailing it as an injection of experience and quality into his squad. He stated, “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.”
For Grealish, the move is deeply personal and strategically motivated. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton. It’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans. As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go… Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I’m sure I will,” he told Everton’s official media channels.
His subsequent remarks underscored the emotional weight of his shirt choice: “I spoke to Wayne before I came here and I mentioned that to him—about the No 18—so I hope he’s happy as well.”
The backdrop to this loan move is rich with context. City, brimming with talent and pushing to refine their squad, deemed consistent playing time essential for Grealish’s resurgence.
The decision to leave him out of their Club World Cup roster wasn’t punitive but indicative of their understanding that he needed a fresh environment to rediscover his rhythm.
Everton, meanwhile, have been active in the summer market. Grealish becomes their sixth—and most high-profile—signing, following the arrivals of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou, and Carlos Alcaraz.
The loan deal includes a potential purchase option worth around £50 million, a clause that sits amidst speculation about his long-term valuation given his age and recent form.
Additionally, financial details include Everton covering a significant part of his substantial £300,000-a-week wages, with the overall cost of the loan package possibly exceeding £12 million.
Grealish’s loan to Everton arrives at a momentous juncture: with the 2026 World Cup in the United States on the horizon, he is determined to return to the England setup, having been heartbreakingly excluded from Euro 2024.
He views regular football at Everton as the platform to reignite his form and regain favour under manager Thomas Tuchel.