Everton confirm first summer signing as they spend £9m on Aston Villa starlet
Everton have confirmed the signing of Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa for a fee of around £9million.
The midfielder is set to strengthen the Toffees' ranks as they attempt to improve on last season's 15th-place finish.
Everton have snapped up the highly-rated midfielder, who made 12 appearances for the club in the Premier League, while another deal is in the pipeline to see a player go the other way.
Lewis Dobbin, who made 12 appearances last season in the Premier League last season, looks set to make the move to Villa Park from Everton in a separate transfer.
"We're pleased to add Tim to our midfield options," said Everton manager Sean Dyche.
"He is a young player who is still learning and developing but clearly has a lot of the qualities we want in that area of the pitch."
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Iroegbunam wrote on social media: "After an amazing 3 years at @avfcofficial It is time to say goodbye.
"I have so much to thank everyone at this club for from making my premier league debut to playing in Europe. It has truly been amazing.
"Everyone involved in this journey has been so good to me and I won’t forget it. It was an honour to call myself a villan.
"To my teammates, coaches and to you fans. You will all be missed! Lots of love, Tim Iroegbunam."
The 20-year-old has signed a contract until the end of 2027 with the Toffees while the club are closing in on another transfer with Jack Harrison set for another loan spell at Goodison Park.
Iroegbunam signed for Aston Villa in 2021, joining their under-23 team having just turned 18 and will become Everton's first summer signing.
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However, he struggled for game time under Unai Emery last season, making just a handful of appearances off the bench mainly.
In total, he made two starts last season - a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League and a 0-0 draw against Ajax in the Europa Conference League.
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Having made 15 appearances in all competitions, the youngster was largely deployed in centre midfield or as in a defensive role.
He has already claimed silverware with England, having helped them win the Under-19 European Championship in 2022 where the Young Lions beat Israel 3-1 after extra-time.
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