Everton: James Tarkowski reacts as new transfer confirmed
Everton stars have been reacting to former Toffees talent Jenson Metcalfe sealing a move to Championship side Millwall.
The 21-year-old left Everton permanently last summer to join League One outfit Bradford City.
He would enjoy an impressive debut 2025-26 season with the Bantams too, playing 49 times as he helped Graham Alexander's team to a fourth-placed finish in their first year back in the third tier.
Metcalfe joined Everton at five years of age, and would continue to develop at Finch Farm right up until 2025.
Despite being named in several first-team matchday squads, the midfielder was never able to make a competitive appearance for the Toffees.
But, having had the taste for regular senior football, Metcalfe now looks to be on his way to reaching his potential, and was even nominated for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Year award for 2025-26.
James Tarkowski likes Jenson Metcalfe to Millwall post
Metcalfe may not have realised his Premier League dream with Everton, but that could soon come true away from Merseyside.
Millwall went as close as they've come to winning promotion to the top flight last season, finishing third in the Championship before losing to Hull City in the play-off semi-finals.
The Lions pride themselves on doing savvy deals in the transfer market, using their limited budget to make smart investments who have the potential to turn big profits in the future.
Femi Azeez, Mihailo Ivanovic, Camiel Neghli, Caleb Taylor and Tristan Crama respectively are all examples of those profile of players in their squad at the moment, and now Metcalfe joins them.
Confirmed on Tuesday evening, Millwall have signed the former Everton academy prospect on a permanent basis from Bradford City.
Announcing the deal across their social media channels, their Instagram post garnered numerous likes from Metcalfe's ex-Everton comrades.
James Tarkowski and Tim Iroegbunam both liked the post, as did a number of soon-to-be free agents after the publishing of Everton's retained list.
Francis Okoronkwo said: "Huge congrats", whilst Tyler Onyango also liked Millwall's post as well, both of whom are leaving the Toffees as free agents this summer.
Meanwhile, youngsters Joel Catesby and Elijah Campbell both liked the post too, with the latter leaving a couple of fire emojis in the comments.
Will Metcalfe start for Millwall next season?
Having now made the biggest move of his senior career so far, Metcalfe and Millwall will have aspirations of winning promotion to the Premier League next season.
The Lions have been flirting with that possibility for some time, but they could finally be ready to get over the line in 2026-27.
Metcalfe is a more defensive-minded midfielder, and should fit well into Millwall's physical and well-organised ethos.
He will find some stiff competition for minutes in their engine room though, with Luke Cundle, Derek Mazou-Sacko, Casper de Norre, Billy Mitchell and veteran Barry Bannan all good options respectively.
Therefore, Metcalfe will likely open the 2026-27 campaign as a bench player for Millwall, but could quickly establish himself in the starting lineup once the season gets going.