James Tarkowski leads Everton tributes to Dwight McNeil as Crystal Palace deal finalised

Dwight McNeil was clearly a popular figure amongst his Everton teammates.

The 26-year-old has left Everton to join Crystal Palace, in a swap deal that sees Brennan Johnson moving to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It's an increasingly rare type of transfer agreement these days, but one that offers both forwards the chance of a fresh start with their respective new clubs.

McNeil joined Everton from Burnley in the summer of 2022, and would make 130 competitive appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing 18 assists.

Last season was a tough one for him though, and it resulted in zero goals and just the one assist from 25 total Toffees outings.

So, as confirmation of his Crystal Palace move was made on Tuesday, Goodison News scours social media to see how his former Everton comrades have reacted to the news.

James Tarkowski drops Dwight McNeil nickname in goodbye wishes

Joining Everton in the same 2022 summer transfer window, James Tarkowski and McNeil both swapped Turf Moor for Goodison Park.

The 33-year-old defender has gone on to establish himself as an uber-consistent and dependable rock in the heart of the Toffees' defence.

Enjoying some excellent individual years together on Merseyside and in Lancashire, the two are naturally very close friends.

This was evidenced on Tuesday, as Tarkowski took to his Instagram stories to post a jovial goodbye message to his long-time comrade.

"My brother Bleach! Good luck and goodbye," he wrote.

Tarkowski was far from the only Everton player reacting to McNeil's move though, as plenty left their thoughts under the now-Crystal Palace winger's own exit post.

Vitalii Mykolenko leads Instagram comments reactions

Shortly after confirmation broke of McNeil's move to Crystal Palace, he took to his own Instagram account to post a heartfelt goodbye message.

"Toffees, it’s been some four years. I’ve loved every minute of it and I will miss the club sincerely," he wrote.

"To the fans who always stuck by me, I couldn’t thank you all enough for the support throughout my time at the club and something I will always cherish.

"To the staff thank you all for your support and helping me get through my injury. Lastly to the lads…. We’ve made some amazing memories and memories I will be forever grateful for. I love you all and I wish you all the best."

In response to that, a host of Everton players left blue love heart emojis in the comments, including Vitalii Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Tim Iroegbunam.

Meanwhile, Nathan Patterson, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O'Brien all liked McNeil's post as well.

As a mark of how well-liked he was on Merseyside, McNeil has also seen plenty of his former Everton teammates wishing him well too.

What did Jack Grealish write to McNeil?

Everton also took to their official Instagram account to thank McNeil for his efforts with the club.

Captioning a montage video of some of his best moments in a Toffees shirt, Everton said: "Big goals and performances in a tough period of togetherness. Thank you and good luck, Dwight!"

Underneath this post, McNeil has received a message from Jack Grealish, who could yet be returning to Everton this summer, saying: "Top top guy. Good luck."

Idrissa Gana Gueye also shared a congratulatory message, accompanying four clapping hands emojis and simply writing his first name.

Heading back over to McNeil's aforementioned post, a number of his other former Everton teammates reacted to it as well.

Alex Iwobi wrote: "What a guy!", whilst Youssef Chermiti, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Demarai Gray, Asmir Begovic, Conor Coady and Ben Godfrey all liked the post too.