Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has joined Everton on loan for the 2025-26 season, aiming to reignite a career that has stalled in recent months.
Once a key figure in City’s treble-winning campaign of 2022-23, the 29-year-old found himself increasingly out of favour under Pep Guardiola last season, starting just seven Premier League games. His omission from City’s squad for the Club World Cup in the United States was a stark signal of his diminishing status at the Etihad.
Now, with a fresh opportunity at Goodison Park, Grealish is looking to reset.
“I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” said Grealish following confirmation of the move.
Everton secured the high-profile signing just days before their Premier League opener away to Leeds on August 18. Grealish, who reportedly earns £300,000 ($402,000) per week, has chosen to wear the number 18 shirt — a tribute to his childhood idols, Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, both of whom donned the same number during their time at the club.
“My two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, and I know they both wore number 18 here,” Grealish explained. “I spoke to Wayne before I came here and mentioned that – so I hope he’s happy as well.”
Grealish joined City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a then-British record fee of £100 million. During his time at the Etihad, he won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup. However, his form has nosedived since playing a pivotal role in City’s 2022-23 triumph.
The downturn in club form also cost him a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad — an exclusion he admitted left him “heartbroken.” Guardiola used him sparingly throughout last season, and he remained on the bench during City’s shock FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.
Concerns about Grealish’s off-field lifestyle, including persistent tabloid reports of late-night partying, have added to the perception that the winger’s career was veering off course. But the move to Everton represents a chance at redemption — and possibly a route back into the England setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place I wanted to go,” Grealish said. “On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters — that’s another reason why I chose this club.
“I want to say thank you to the fans for all the messages I’ve had already. Thank you for all the love and support. I hope I can repay you — and I’m sure I will.”
Everton, who recently left Goodison Park for their state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium, will hope Grealish can become a talismanic figure as they enter a new era. His arrival marks their most significant signing of the summer, after a relatively quiet transfer window.
Manager David Moyes welcomed the deal, praising Grealish’s experience and determination.
“We’re very pleased to have Jack on board,” Moyes said. “I think we’re getting him at a good time — he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we all know what he’s capable of.
“I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, and hopefully we can help him achieve that over the course of the season.”
AFP
