Confirmed: Everton Secure Permanent Signing of ‘Exciting Attacker’ for U21s on Multi-Year Contract

Everton have announced on their official website that 18-year-old Omari Benjamin, who describes himself as an “exciting attacker,” has joined the club on a three-year deal as of July 2nd.

Benjamin joins Everton’s under-21 squad following a successful trial with the club late last season, after his departure from Arsenal. Reflecting on his move, Benjamin stated, “This is a really exciting opportunity for me. I’m keen to show what I can do on the pitch and excited at what is to come at Everton. When I came here on trial, the boys and staff were really nice. There was a good feel to the club, and everyone was really welcoming, so it made it easy to sign here.”

Sean Dyche may have 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite as a first-team regular and arguably the best player in his squad, but he admitted last season that the academy wasn’t producing enough talents for the senior side. The sale of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa last month, with Tim Ireogbunam coming the other way in a separate permanent deal, may have helped ease profit and sustainability concerns. However, it meant yet another homegrown youngster departing Goodison Park, following the exits of Ellis Simms, Ishe Samuels-Smith, and Anthony Gordon in recent windows.

Benjamin might not be ready to break through to the first team yet, but the club clearly sees potential in him, having offered him a three-year contract after his trial. The path to the senior squad remains uncertain this summer, with both senior strikers linked with moves away. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been offered up for transfer with only a year left on his contract, and Beto has attracted interest from Jose Mourinho in Turkey.

The Toffees are also close to completing the permanent signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille and still haven’t seen much from youngster Youssef Chermiti, who joined a year ago.