Deal already in place for Everton to seal Jack Patterson signing in summer
Everton already have a deal in place to seal their first signing of the summer transfer window, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper reports that a deal has been agreed for young Crusaders midfielder Jack Patterson to head to Goodison Park in the summer.
It is understood that despite the appointment of Kevin Thelwell as director of football, Patterson, 16, is still expected to join the Blues ahead of next season.
First summer signing
It looks like there’s another Patterson set to join the ranks at Everton Football Club this year with the 16-year-old reportedly heading over from Northern Ireland.
Patterson may only be 16 but he’s already played four times at a senior level for Crusaders in Northern Ireland.
His most recent appearance for them came in March when he played 77 minutes of a 4-2 win away at Dungannon.
The defensive midfielder actually made his senior debut for Crusaders at the tender age of 15.
On 12 May last year, the Belfast Telegraph first reported Everton’s interest in Patterson, who was also being eyed up by West Ham.
Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter waxed lyrical about Patterson when he made his senior debut back in January 2021.
As quoted by the Belfast Telegraph, Baxter said: “What a prospect the boy is.
“We saw the talent that was recommended to us by our youth academy director and in the few games he played for the under-20 side, he was outstanding.
“We brought him into the first team and I thought he was an incredible player for his age. He’s in training with us and if he’s good enough, he’s old enough. He has the talent and he will certainly be someone we will be talking about in the future.”
It sure sounds as though Everton are signing a very promising young player.
However, we must admit that the expectations in Northern Ireland are very different from those at elite level academies in English football.
Patterson will no doubt have to work very hard at Finch Farm to earn the same praise he’s had in Belfast.
But based on his rise at Crusaders despite still being a schoolboy, he has the determination and talent to make a very good career for himself here in England.
In other Everton news, Stan Collymore has taken a big swipe at this 25-year-old who he suggests is taking the Blues down to the Championship.
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