Manchester United midfielder James Garner joins Everton

James Garner has joined Everton from Manchester United for 17.3 million dollars, signing a four-year contract until the end of June 2026.

After defenders James Tarkowski, Rben Vinagre, and Conor Coady, midfielders Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye, and strikers Dwight McNeil and Neal Maupay, he is the Blues’ eighth summer acquisition.

Garner was born in Birkenhead and joined Manchester United’s academy at the age of eight. He is a dynamic, all-round midfielder with a remarkable range of passing. Garner entered the Manchester United academy at the U8 level before rising through the ranks. At the age of 17, he made his first-team debut in February 2019 as a substitute against Crystal Palace. In September 2020, he was loaned to Watford, but was returned in January 2021 after falling out of favour with new coach Xisco Munoz. He was on loan at Forest for the second part of the 2020/21 season.

Garner returned to Forest on loan for the 2021/22 season, assisting the club’s return to the Premier League after winning the Sky Bet Championship play-off final. The midfielder has also represented England at the junior level, with his U21 debut coming in September 2021.

Welcome, @jgarnerr96! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Ax9hSaFha7

— Everton (@Everton) September 1, 2022

“I’m made up to sign for Everton. It’s a huge step in my career and I want to help the team get better while progressing as a player,” Garner told evertontv. “I think Everton is the perfect place to do that. I can’t wait to get started. “The manager has got a real plan for the Club and for me. Working with him on a daily basis is major for me. Him and his staff can take me and the team to the next level. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

“I know how passionate Evertonians are. I’m passionate myself and the sort of player who feeds off the crowd. I know what the fans are like so I think I’ll be a good fit. I’m a box-to-box midfielder who can play in different roles and can support in defence and attack. I like to support with goals and assists but can do the hard work, too, which is equally important. I feel like I can bring real energy to the team – it is something that Everton definitely demands and I can add that in abundance. I have got quality as well so hopefully I can be a big part of us having a good season,” he added.

Garner, long regarded as one of Manchester United’s most promising young players, has demonstrated his leadership abilities throughout his career, serving as captain of both the Red Devils and England age groups.

He added: “I captained every team up until the first team at Manchester United and the same with England. It’s a quality I definitely have.

“I’m still only young and there’s a lot of leaders in the Everton team now, but it’s something I’ve always had and I’m not afraid to speak my mind and lead by example. The Club has really high-quality players and I am looking forward to learning from them while contributing myself. My experience at Nottingham Forest last season, and how I improved as a player, has given me confidence I can perform at the highest level. I want to take that into the Premier League now and do it with Everton,” James explained.

Manager Frank Lampard remarked: “James is a fantastic midfielder with a great all-round game who has qualities we know Evertonians will appreciate. We are really looking forward to working with him and having him add further strength to our squad.”

Everton Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, stated: “We are delighted to have brought James to Everton, a player with a broad skillset who adds more quality to our midfield options.

“He is a young, hungry player and we are confident he can be a great addition for many years to come, while getting even better working with Frank and his coaching staff.”