Everton have reached an agreement with Scottish side Rangers for the transfer of Right-back Nathan Patterson. Nathan Patterson will be the club’s second January signing following the footsteps of Dynamo Kyiv Left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko.
The Merseyside team had two bids rejected for Patterson in the summer. But they finally agreed upon the transfer fee of £16 million. The player has penned a contract for five and a half years which will keep him at Goodison Park till 2027.
The Toffies have struggled so far in the Premier League with Benitez only managing to collect 19 points in 18 games. They sit 15th in the table, which is not acceptable for a club with European ambitions.
With the signing of 20-year-old Patterson, the club seems to be investing in their youth as the player is certainly one for the future. Patterson joined the Rangers’ academy aged 8 and made his senior debut for the club in January 2020. He helped the Scottish giants to a league title last year with an unbeaten record.
The talented wing-back has featured in 27 games for Rangers scoring 2 and assisting 1 goal. Despite his potential, he has only played six times in the Premiership this season while starting in just two of those games. He could have had more games under his wing had it not been for the terrific form of the Rangers’ captain James Tavernier.
His performances for the club got him his first International call in June 2021. He made his international debut for Scotland in a 1-0 win over Luxembourg.
How will Nathan Patterson fare in the top flight for Everton?
There will be some scepticism over Patterson’s signing in the Everton stands. £16 million is a tidy sum considering Patterson is still a 20-year-old who has only managed to start in 2 league games this season.
But the former Rangers player is very highly regarded as one of the best upcoming wing-backs in Europe. The former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has praised the youngster on several occasions. And he is a Scotland international who has already been capped 6 times for his national side. This could be a gamble that really pays off for the Toffies in the long run.
Nathan Patterson is described as a modern day full-back who likes to venture forward along with performing his defensive duties. He has been occasionally deployed in a more advanced role on the right-hand side thanks to his attacking prowess.
Patterson will have to battle out for the starting spot in the Everton starting XI with Jonjoe Kenny and club legend Séamus Coleman. It will also take him some time to adjust to the pace and physicality of the English League. The Everton faithful will have to be patient with the new signing and give him time to ease into the new surrounding.
Patterson on his move to the Premier League:
Here is what Patterson had to say about his move via Evertontv:
I’m over the moon to sign for Everton and looking forward to getting started.
It was an easy choice to sign. This is a massive club with huge history and the fanbase is tremendous. Obviously we aren’t in the place where we want to be right now but we can definitely get there with the talent in the changing room and staff here, and I have full belief we can do that.
It is really exciting to come to a club that has huge talent in the team. I am going to work my socks off and hopefully I can do well with them in training and in games.
It was also great for me knowing the manager really wanted me here and that made my decision. When a club really wants you, it makes your mind up early on.
I wanted to come here from the very start. I’m delighted to be here and really looking forward to playing in front of the fans at Goodison.
Long-term, I want to nail down a starting position and win some trophies to make the fans proud.
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