Grealish to pay tribute to Gascoigne and Rooney with Everton shirt number | OneFootball

Jack Grealish is poised to complete a loan move from Manchester City to Everton, where he is expected to take on the club’s No18 shirt — a number previously worn by his England heroes Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney during their spells at Goodison Park, according to The Telegraph.

The 29-year-old midfielder has previously spoken of his desire to emulate both players when he began his international career. Gascoigne, widely regarded as one of England’s most gifted talents, and Rooney, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, each left a lasting legacy at Everton while wearing the same number.

Grealish’s arrival will add high-profile quality to David Moyes’s squad, with the club aiming to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign. His ability to operate both centrally and on the flanks is expected to bring greater creativity and experience to Everton’s forward play.

The move represents a significant change for Grealish, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British record fee but struggled for consistent minutes last season. Everton, meanwhile, have been active in the market to reinforce their squad after battling near the bottom of the table in recent campaigns.

Final details of the loan are expected to be completed shortly, paving the way for Grealish to make his debut in the famous royal blue — and to follow in the footsteps of two of his footballing idols.

📸 PAUL ELLIS - AFP or licensors