Everton confirm exit of English defender to UK club ahead of the transfer deadline
Everton have confirmed the departure of young defender Eli Campbell to Ross County for the rest of the campaign.
According to the Toffees' Academy account on X (29 August) the 20-year-old has joined Scottish Premiership club Ross County on loan for the season.
The centre-back was named on the bench by Sean Dyche once against Burnley in the Premier League last term but has yet to make a senior appearance for the club.
Eli Campbell makes confirmed Everton exit to Ross County
Campbell spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Fleetwood Town, making 12 senior appearances and the club will see the Ross County move as the next step towards either making a breakthrough at Goodison Park or securing a transfer exit.
Dyche has previously noted publicly that there hasn't been enough talent coming through the academy that is ready to contribute in the first team [The Times, 8 March], and after 83 combined appearances for the Under-18s and Under-21s that has to include Campbell.
Everton have managed to hold onto star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite this term despite a pair of bids from Manchester United and warnings that a sale may be necessary without takeover progress [Kieran Maguire, 31 July], and added Jake O'Brien from Lyon.
So as things stand the picture is crowded in the senior squad, and Campbell has had plenty of experience in age-group sides so first team games are sure to be better for him.
The club have been on a recruitment drive for the Under-21s this summer, in stark contrast to the exodus of youngsters leaving in previous windows.
Campbell will hope to prove himself in Scotland and return to be a part of that, although at his age he is potentially more likely to put himself in the shop window if he features often enough at Ross County.
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