Teenage goalkeeper Patrick Nash believes he is in the perfect environment to improve after signing for Everton on a deal until June 2022.

The 17-year-old – who is named after Northern Irish goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings – will link up with Paul Tait’s Under-18s team for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

Aldershot-born Nash, who formerly spent time at Reading FC’s academy, paid tribute to the welcoming atmosphere at Everton and revealed his excitement about pulling on a Toffees jersey for the first time.

“It feels really good to get the deal across the line,” Nash told evertonfc.com.

“I’m really buzzing to get going now and get on the pitch. By far, Everton is the friendliest club I’ve ever been to.

“Everyone around the place, from the guys at the gate to those on the pitch, have been brilliant.

“It’s a great group of lads in the Under-18s and, especially when I’m moving away from home, it’s really important for me to settle in. The lads are really friendly, which help that.”

Nash explained how Everton’s Head of Academy Goalkeeping, David Lucas, was instrumental in bringing him to the Club.

The gifted young stopper is now aiming to repay Lucas’ faith.

“Dave knew about me when he was at Fleetwood Town,” said Nash.

“He wanted to get me there but unfortunately it didn’t happen for whatever reason.

“When Dave moved to Everton, he got back in touch and said he would like to get me back involved.

“I came up to Everton for a week in August [on trial] and was taken aback by the friendliness of the Club.

“I’m really pleased to be here now.”

Nash added he is embracing the challenge of moving away from his Hampshire home at such a young age – and believes he will mature on and off the pitch at Everton.

He said: “When you’re my age, people think it’s all about winning and that you need to win things to succeed.

“For me, enjoying this experience and developing as a person and as a goalkeeper is the most important thing.”

Nash also paid tribute to the support he has received from the John Madejski Academy (JMA), the sixth-form college he attended in Reading, in helping him get to Everton.

The teenager added: “JMA have been fantastic in giving me support and helping to increase my confidence that I can achieve my dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

“I’m really grateful to all the staff there who helped me along the way.”

Everton Under-18s are next in league action on Saturday 6 November, when they host Blackburn Rovers at USM Finch Farm.