Jack Grealish’s footballing journey has taken yet another dramatic turn as the England international completed a season-long loan move from Manchester City to Everton, setting the stage for one of the Premier League’s most intriguing storylines ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The transfer, officially confirmed on August 12, 2025, comes after a period of uncertainty for Grealish, who had fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola at City and made just seven league starts last season. Now, with a new home at Goodison Park and the iconic No. 18 shirt on his back, Grealish is aiming to reignite his career and prove his doubters wrong.
The move itself is loaded with meaning—not just for Grealish, but for both clubs involved and the wider Premier League landscape. Everton have secured Grealish on a loan deal that includes a £50 million option to buy next summer, a significant investment reflecting the club’s ambition under manager David Moyes. For Grealish, it’s a fresh start after a year in which opportunities dried up at City, despite his status as a £100 million signing and his pivotal role in their historic treble-winning 2022-23 season.
Speaking in his first interview as an Everton player, Grealish didn’t hide his excitement. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – It’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” he said, sharing his gratitude for the warm welcome he’s already received. “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. I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I’ve had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I’m sure I will.”
The choice of shirt number was no afterthought, either. Grealish explained, “There is a reason for [choosing number 18]. 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 [Rooney] before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well!”
Everton manager David Moyes was quick to underline the club’s faith in their new signing. “We welcome Jack to Everton, and we’re very pleased to have him on board. 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,” Moyes said.
Grealish’s motivation for the move is clear. After a season spent largely on the fringes at City, he’s eager to prove he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level. The 29-year-old’s determination was evident in the financial sacrifices he made to push the deal through, with reports indicating he went “above and beyond” to ensure the loan happened, despite earning around £300,000 a week at City. For Grealish, the switch to Everton offers the chance to play regular football, stay close to his family in the North West, and—perhaps most importantly—make his case for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.
Former Everton captain Izzy Christiansen, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, summed up the mood: “He has a point to prove, but you can also see that he has maintained a very high level of fitness. To me, that shows he has a lot of intrinsic motivation. It didn’t work out for him at City but you can’t forget what he achieved either in his second year when he helped them win the treble. He fell out of favour but he has a superb opportunity now to galvanise his career and under David Moyes’ stewardship. I think he can.”
Rory Smith, football correspondent for The Observer, echoed this optimism: “I think this is an amazing transfer for everybody. It just works. The Premier League is better when you have those maverick talents at clubs who will build teams around them. Grealish is a player you want to go and watch. He might not be the most reliable all of the time, but he gets you on the edge of your seat. He won’t be the difference in every game but there will be matches he will be able to dominate and express himself in. There are some players who are their best when they are the star player – even if it means dropping down a level to do so. Grealish thrives on being the main character. I am excited to see what he will do in an Everton shirt.”
Meanwhile, over at Manchester City, preparations for the new season continue with a sense of renewed focus. Pep Guardiola, speaking just days before the Premier League’s return, highlighted the positive mood within his squad following a summer that included a Club World Cup venture in the USA, a friendly against Palermo in Italy, and a lighter pre-season schedule focused on training behind closed doors. “I’m happy since the USA and our [Club] World Cup. Our vibes were really good. We could not control the transition against Al Hilal but the players were really good. We wanted to stay longer, to build more of what we want to do,” Guardiola said. The manager’s emphasis on “consistency” as the new campaign approaches is particularly telling, given City’s brief dips in form last season before rallying to win major silverware.
For City, integrating new arrivals and giving opportunities to emerging academy talents like Divine Mukasa have been key priorities during pre-season. The Etihad side are aiming to reclaim domestic dominance while also competing on multiple fronts, including the UEFA Champions League and domestic cups. Supporters will be watching closely to see how the squad adapts to these changes, especially with the departure of a high-profile figure like Grealish.
As the countdown to the Premier League’s opening weekend ticks down, all eyes will be on Jack Grealish’s debut in blue and white. Will he deliver the spark Everton fans crave? Can he recapture the form that once made him one of English football’s brightest talents? The stage is set, the anticipation is electric, and for both Grealish and Everton, a captivating new chapter is about to begin.
