Everton have completed the signing of defender Jake O’Brien from Lyon on a four-year contract.
The Republic of Ireland international — who played for Crystal Palace before moving to the Ligue 1 club — joins Everton for a fee in the region of £17million (€20m; $21.6m) with Lyon maintaining a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
The Athletic reported on Saturday that the 23-year-old had been granted permission to travel to Merseyside in order to agree personal terms and conduct a medical.
He has signed a contract at Goodison Park through to 2028.
Everton’s Premier League rivals Palace will receive an estimated £3m from the transfer after agreeing a sell-on clause in the £1m deal that took O’Brien to France last summer. The contract entitled them to 20 per cent of the profit from any future sale.
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The centre-back, who has two caps for the Republic of Ireland, made 27 appearances for Lyon last term, scoring four goals.
“I’m buzzing and so happy to have signed for Everton,” O’Brien said.
“I’ve been dreaming of this kind of move in the Premier League, with such a historic club. It’s a very exciting move for me. Everton is a huge club with a lot of history behind it and there’s a big future as well.
“When the transfer window opened there were other clubs in for me but there was only one club I wanted to go to — it was Everton. They’ve shown the faith in me so now it’s my turn to show why on the pitch.”
O’Brien has signed a four-year contract at Goodison Park (Everton FC)
O’Brien added of international team-mate Seamus Coleman’s role in his move to Goodison Park: “Seamus has been on to me to sign for Everton! He’s a top guy, a brilliant captain, and to play under him here as well as with Ireland will be a privilege.
“He’s the best captain I’ve ever played under. He’s massively respected — not just here but in the football world in general.
“I’ve met all of the lads in the squad and you can sense straight away that it’s a tight-knit group. Obviously, having Seamus here will help me as well.”
Everton boss Sean Dyche said of the signing: “He is still young but has earned valuable experience both abroad and at international level, and has many impressive attributes to become a top-quality player for Everton in the Premier League.”
Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell said: “Jake was much sought-after following an excellent season with Lyon and we are delighted he wanted his future to be with Everton.”
The centre-back joined Palace from Cork City in February 2021, initially on loan, and went on to represent the first-team during pre-season tours to Australia, Singapore and the United States before signing a permanent deal later that summer.
He spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Belgian side RWD Molenbeek, helping them to earn to promotion to the Belgian Pro League. Prior to that, he spent six months on loan at Swindon Town.
O’Brien has been a long-time target with manager Sean Dyche keen to strengthen this defensive options ahead of the new season following Ben Godfrey’s switch to Atalanta last month.
The Irishman becomes Everton’s fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye, Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison.
Everton begin the new Premier League campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 17.
(Images via Everton FC)
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