Jack Grealish took guidance from Wayne Rooney as he launched his new career by taking the squad number the England legend made famous at Everton.
Grealish completed the formalities around his season long-loan from Manchester City on Tuesday and trained at Everton’s Finch Farm base for the first time. He could make his eagerly-awaited debut at Leeds next Monday night.
Everton have the option to buy Grealish in 12 months’ time but it will not be for the £50million that has been mooted – he will soon turn 30 and that price would not make sense. He has also taken a considerable wage cut to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
He will wear the 18 shirt and revealed that the number was so special to him as it is synonymous with Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, who had a brief spell on Merseyside at the turn of the century.
‘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,’ said Grealish.
‘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.
Jack Grealish has taken the number 18 at Everton in a tribute to Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne
He says the two were his favourite-ever England players so the decision made sense
Grealish has had plenty of encouraging messages from Everton fans and hopes to break back into the England squad
‘I spoke to Wayne Rooney before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well! As soon as I spoke to the manager (David Moyes), 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.’
Moyes, as Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday, is a very persuasive man when he wants to bring in a top player and he believes Grealish can provide the star quality his squad needs.
‘I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad,’ said Moyes. ‘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.’
