The signing of Republic of Ireland international center-back Jake O’Brien from Lyon for a substantial Β£17m fee has certainly turned heads. O’Brien, a 23-year-old towering defender standing at 6ft 6ins, has put pen to paper on a lucrative four-year contract with the English club.
This move marks O’Brien’s return to the Premier League after his brief stint with Ligue 1 club Lyon, which came after his transfer from Crystal Palace in 2023. Despite the short duration of his time in France, O’Brien managed to make a significant impact, appearing in 27 matches and netting an impressive four goals in the highly competitive French top flight.
“I’m buzzing and so happy to have signed for Everton,” O’Brien told evertontv. “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.
“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.
“You see how Sean Dyche develops young centre-halves and what he has done for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. The way he’s going now, the season he’s had in the Premier League, it’s obviously something I look at and something I want to replicate.
“This season, I just want to play as many games as I can and help the club get higher up the table. It’s an exciting time and it’d be good to end the season – the last season at Goodison Park – as high up the table as we can.”
Notably, O’Brien’s performances caught the eye of the Republic of Ireland national team coaches, earning him a call-up and subsequent debut in their June friendlies. His swift elevation to the international stage underscores his burgeoning talent and potential to bolster Everton’s defensive lineup.
After securing his fifth signing of the summer, Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Jake further strengthens our talented core of centre-backs and adds competition to our squad which can help us continue to progress.
“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.”
The footballing world eagerly awaits O’Brien’s Premier League comeback and anticipates the imposing defender’s contributions to Everton’s quest for success in the upcoming seasons.
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