Everton have completed the signing of Burnley winger Dwight McNeil for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old had his medical at Finch Farm on Thursday and the deal has now been finalised with McNeil becoming Everton’s third signing of the summer under Frank Lampard.
He has signed a five-year contract which runs until the end of June 2027, joining fellow new arrivals, former Burnley team-mate James Tarkowski and Sporting Lisbon loanee Ruben Vinagre.
The England U21 international has plenty of Premier League experience, having already made 134 top-flight appearances for Burnley. He has missed just two Premier League matches since December 2018 and ranked second for dribbles in the top flight last season.
“It is an amazing feeling to sign. When I heard about Everton’s interest I wanted to get it done straight away because of the club and how good the team is,” McNeil told evertontv.
“Speaking to the manager about what they want going forward, it really excited me and appealed to me. I wanted to be part of it. He knows me as a player, as does [Director of Football] Kevin Thelwell. I want to work hard and do well for the team and for the fans.
“I feel playing under a manager like Frank Lampard, he will help me to get my stats up – and that is what I want to do and improve my game.”
The attacking midfielder, who has seven goals and 17 assists in the Premier League to his name, had also been attracting interest from London sides West Ham and Crystal Palace.
Manager Lampard added: “I have been a big admirer of Dwight for some time. He has huge talent and is exactly the type of player we want to bring into the squad to help us improve.”
McNeil had two years remaining on his current Burnley contract, with the Clarets retaining the option to extend that contract by a further year.
Analysis: McNeil offers solution to creative void
“It is clear which department Everton have needed to address since the sale of Richarlison earlier this summer to Tottenham. It is not certain precisely how much of the £60m recouped for the Brazilian’s departure Lampard will be able to spend but in signing McNeil, he is finding a solution for the creativity deficit.
“In a struggling Burnley side, the former England U21 international failed to score in the Premier League last term while he only registered one assist. That only tells half the story, however.
“The 47 chances he created was more than any other Everton player. Indeed, he was among the top 25 most creative players in the Premier League last season, but only one of his chances were converted by Burnley’s wasteful forward line.
“McNeil also made 90 successful dribbles in the top flight last season with only Allan Saint-Maximin (150) made more.
“As a natural left-footer, he will provide the side with greater balance should Everton choose to line up in a 4-4-2 formation. In signing a five-year contract, it is clear that Lampard believes McNeil can form an integral part of the club’s present and future.