Exclusive: London Club Moves to Sign Everton Rising Star

Everton have high hopes for 20-year-old Reece Welch and believe a loan move this summer is the ideal next step for his development.

Football Insider revealed in May that the Toffees had approved the defender’s loan move for the summer.

Dutch Eredivisie clubs and Championship teams have shown interest in signing him.

However, League One’s Leyton Orient, based in London, feel confident about securing an agreement.

Welch spent the first half of last season on loan with League Two side Forest Green Rovers before returning to Goodison Park, where he played for the first team in pre-season.

Everton are prepared to let Reece Welch leave on loan amid Leyton Orient’s interest. Welch has been with Everton since he was seven years old, signing his first professional contract in 2020 and making his senior debut in 2022.

His loan spell at Forest Green last season saw him make 23 appearances across all competitions before Everton activated a break clause in his deal.

However, he wasn’t included in any of Dyche’s senior squads for the rest of the season and mainly played for the Under-21 side.

Forest Green, meanwhile, finished bottom of League Two and were relegated.

Leyton Orient were impressed by Welch’s performance during his short stint in the EFL and are ready to offer him a step up to League One.

The defender has become a key target for the club, which finished 11th last season.

The coaching staff at Goodison are keen for Welch to follow a similar path as Jarrad Branthwaite—going out on loan before returning to secure a first-team spot.

Welch is now set to take the next step in his career, with talks expected to accelerate before the transfer deadline on August 30.