Done deal: Everton agree terms of defender transfer

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Published on:

27 Jul 2017, 10:30 am

By Harry Sykes

Everton have signed defender Lewis Gibson from Newcastle United, it was confirmed today (Thursday).

The Merseysiders announced on their official website and social media channels that they have won the race to sign the 17-year-old centre-back in what represents a major blow for the north-east giants.

Everton revealed that Gibson has penned a three-year contract and is set to link up with David Unsworth's Under-23s squad rather than the senior outfit.

🔵 | We have completed the signing of @LewisGippa3. The defender will link up with David Unsworth’s #EFCU23s: https://t.co/1KCusKJnWz pic.twitter.com/sNLovugPVj
— Everton (@Everton) July 27, 2017

Nevertheless, his signing represents a coup for cash-rich Everton and is a blow to Newcastle, who will only receive a compensation fee for their academy product.

The teenager has not played a senior match for Newcastle, but has already been capped 16 times at England Under-17 level.

The Toffees, backed by the finances of billionaire majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, are not only carrying out an extensive recruitment drive to strengthen the first team but they are also beefing up the youth ranks.

Gibson becomes the fifth summer addition to Everton’s Premier League 2-winning Under-23s squad following the arrivals of defender Nathangelo Markelo, forwards Anton Donkor, Boris Mathis and Josh Bowler.

First-team manager Ronald Koeman has a track record of giving opportunities to young players, with rookies Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate among those who made big impressions for the senior side last season.

In other Everton transfer news, Tottenham have spoken about signing this Toffees player who isn't Ross Barkley this summer.

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