Everton Sign Johnson As McNeil Departs

Brennan Johnson has signed for Everton from Crystal Palace in a deal that sees Dwight McNeil move to Selhurst Park.

Wales international forward Johnson has penned a four-year deal with the Blues until the end of June 2030, and becomes the fifth summer signing for David Moyes’ squad after Merlin Röhl’s loan obligation was activated along with the additions of Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Christian Nørgaard.

A pacy attacker who can play in various forward positions, Johnson – who first made his name at Nottingham Forest – has 45 caps for Wales and represented his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At club level, the 25-year-old netted Tottenham Hotspur’s winner in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United before tasting more European glory with Crystal Palace in the Conference League last season.

After completing his switch to the Blues, Johnson, who will wear the No.22 shirt for the Toffees, told evertontv: “I'm so excited to be here. The Club speaks for itself – it's a massive club and one that when I first heard of the interest, I immediately wanted to come and be part of it.

"There were a lot of reasons why I was so keen to join – the manager, the players, the direction the team is going in. You can see this is a club that wants to go in the right direction, and I'm a player who wants to go in that direction, too, so it feels like a really good match.

"I want to come in and show what I can do. The manager spoke to me about getting back to the form that I've shown previously, and that's a massive thing for me – the fact he knows and believes in what I can do. For me, listening to him – a manager who is so experienced and someone who has been so successful – it was really nice to hear.

"I want to bring all of my attributes. First and foremost, I'll work for the team, the fans, and represent the Club properly. I know that's something that's definitely appreciated and a non-negotiable here. They can expect that from me. On top of that, I think I can bring speed, goals and everything I've got.

"The incredible fanbase that Everton has, whether it's home or away, is something I've always felt. It's a massive honour to be here and play for them now."

Joining Nottingham Forest’s academy at the age of eight, Johnson progressed through the East Midlands club’s youth system before making his senior debut at the age of 18 against West Bromwich Albion.

Following a season-long loan at Lincoln City, he soon became an integral part of Forest’s attack, steering the club to the Championship play-offs in 2021/22 with Toffees midfielder James Garner as his teammate.

The following season, Johnson finished as Forest’s top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions to lead them to the Premier League, going on to play every top-flight match in 2022/23, netting eight goals and providing three assists, including three against the Blues home and away.

That paved the way for a switch to Tottenham in September 2023, where he helped the Londoners to their first trophy in 17 years by grabbing the winner in the Europa League final in a 2024/25 campaign that saw Johnson get 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions prior to a switch across the capital to Crystal Palace in January this year.

Johnson added: “I've had some personal moments against Everton in the past and I think for those reasons, the Club has always had a little place in my heart.

"My first Premier League goal came at Goodison Park, so that was very special to me. I remember watching so many Premier League games before that, so to score my first goal in an iconic stadium like that, in a big atmosphere, was incredible.

"Now there's a new stadium, which is unbelievable, and one that I played at last season. I remember it being a fierce atmosphere. It's intimidating, it's hostile – and it's everything you'd want from a new stadium. A lot of clubs that move into new stadiums struggle to regain the atmosphere they had before but what I experienced there last year was amazing.

"This club has everything to get back into European competition. As players, I think we have to put pressure on ourselves to get the Club back there, because that's what the Club and the fans deserve to have.

"Everton is a club that has the ambition to win those trophies – and I believe we can do it."

As Johnson moves to Merseyside, McNeil goes the other way to Crystal Palace after four years of loyal service to Everton.

The winger joined the Blues from Burnley in July 2022, playing a crucial part in the Club preserving its proud top-flight status ahead of the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In total, McNeil played 128 matches for the Toffees, scoring 15 goals.

Everyone at Everton thanks Dwight for his commitment and effort throughout his time at the Club and wishes him all the best for the future.