Midfielder Receives ‘Baller’ Praise on Debut Following £9m Move from Aston Villa
Aston Villa Let Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam Transfer Permanently to Everton This Summer, Making His Debut on Saturday
Tim Iroegbunam may not have had a memorable home debut in Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, but the young midfielder, who joined the Toffees from Aston Villa this summer, made a positive impression individually.
Starting for Sean Dyche at Goodison Park, Iroegbunam was on the pitch as Brighton’s Karou Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, and Simon Adingra scored in a dominant performance.
The hosts ended the match with 10 men after Ashley Young’s red card.
Despite the heavy loss, Iroegbunam, who completed the full 90 minutes alongside former Villa teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye, received praise from Everton fans.
Comments on Everton’s social media praised Iroegbunam’s performance, with one supporter noting, “We need another 10 like him on the pitch,” and another stating, “Great signing for us. So impressed with him.”
Others described him as “the only good thing to come from Saturday” and “brilliant,” highlighting his impact despite the defeat.
Dyche also praised Iroegbunam’s debut, emphasizing his Premier League and Championship experience.
Dyche noted, “One of the keys is he has had Premier League experience and experience in the Championship.
He gets the physicality, the pace, and the feel of it, which showed during pre-season. He’s done very well, and the other players are learning that.”
Everton paid £9 million for Iroegbunam, the same amount Villa spent to acquire young forward Lewis Dobbin, who has since been loaned to West Brom.
Iroegbunam signed a three-year deal with Everton, having previously been on loan at QPR in the Championship.
He joined Villa from Albion in the summer of 2021 and made 19 first-team appearances for the club.
