Everton have completed the signing of defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles from French club Lyon on Deadline Day. Both organizations confirmed the transfer, which saw the Merseyside club secure the 29-year-old on a permanent deal worth €3.5 million. The move reunites Maitland-Niles with English football after his stint in Ligue 1, as he was entering the final year of his existing contract with Lyon.
The versatile fullback brings considerable experience to Everton’s squad, capable of operating as both a defender and midfielder to provide tactical flexibility. His arrival addresses defensive needs for manager David Moyes, who had previously deployed midfielder Merlin Röhl in an unconventional right-back role during the club’s opening Premier League matches. Maitland-Niles made 79 appearances across all competitions for Lyon following his permanent transfer from Arsenal in 2023, initially joining on loan before establishing himself at the French side.
The signing capped a dramatic final day of the transfer window for Everton, as a proposed move for United States international striker Folarin Balogun fell through at the eleventh hour. Maitland-Niles could potentially make his debut in the upcoming home fixture against Manchester United, bolstering Everton’s defensive options for the remainder of the season.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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