Jack Grealish’s Everton shirt number, possible debut date revealed after officially leaving Man City on loan

Everton have announced the signing of Jack Grealish on a season-long-loan deal from Manchester City, with the Toffees understood to have a £50m option to buy the left-sided attacker next summer.

Grealish becomes David Moyes’s sixth signing ahead of the new season following the permanent arrivals of Carlos Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The 29-year-old moves to the Hill Dickinson Stadium seeking to reignite his career in his prime years after falling down the pecking under Man City manager Pep Guardiola, starting only seven Premier League games last season.

Grealish has ben linked with several clubs in England and abroad this summer, with Sports Mole reporting that Tottenham Hotspur submitted an enquiry for his services soon after James Maddison suffered an ACL injury in pre-season.

However, Everton have successfully won the race for the signature of Grealish, who is delighted to have made the move to Merseyside after being persuaded to join the club following a conversation with Moyes.

"I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton - It's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” Grealish told evertontv.

Welcome to Everton, @JackGrealish! ?

— Everton (@Everton) August 12, 2025

 

Grealish completes loan move to Everton from Man City

"As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go. On social media, I've been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there's that side of it as well and that's another reason why I chose Everton.

"I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I've had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I'm sure I will."

Grealish departs Man City on a temporary basis four years after joining the Citizens from boyhood club Aston Villa for a then British-record fee of £100m.

He has made a total of 157 appearances for Man City and has won seven trophies, memorably winning the second of his three Premier League titles along with the FA Cup and Champions League as part of a historic 2022-23 treble-winning season.

Grealish is now keen to gain regular first-team football at Everton as he endeavours to try to force his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Our new No.18. ? pic.twitter.com/2u0yyx2tSp

— Everton (@Everton) August 12, 2025

Grealish explains decision to wear No.18 shirt at Everton

The Birmingham-born attacker has been known for wearing the No.10 shirt at Aston Villa and Man City, but with Iliman Ndiaye currently donning that number at Everton, he has decided to follow in the footsteps of two England icons by selecting the number 18 shirt.

"There is a reason for [choosing number 18],” Grealish explained. "There were other numbers but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore number 18 here.

"So, as soon as I knew this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me and it was the only number I was going to take from that point.

"I spoke to Wayne before I came here and I mentioned that to him - about the number 18 - so I hope he's happy as well!"

Reacting to the arrival of Grealish, Moyes said: "We welcome Jack to Everton, and we’re very pleased to have him on board.

Grealish could make Everton debut against Leeds in PL opener

“I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.

“I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad so hopefully we can help him achieve that over the course of the season.

“We’re all looking forward to working with him and providing a platform for him to show the best version of himself.”

Grealish could be available to make his Everton debut when the Toffees travel to Elland Road to face newly-promoted Leeds United in their opening Premier League match of the 2025-26 season next Monday.

Everton fans could then watch Grealish in blue and white for the first time at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium when Moyes’s men face Brighton & Hove Albion in their first home fixture of the new campaign on August 24.