Boyhood Evertonian Billy Crellin is vowing to work tirelessly to “get to the top” after sealing a dream move to Goodison Park on transfer deadline day.

Goalkeeper Crellin, a member of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning squad in 2017, played 13 times for former team Fleetwood Town following a debut in October 2018.

The 21-year-old gained loan experience at a trio of clubs, progressively climbing the football pyramid with FC United of Manchester, Chorley and Bolton Wanderers.

Completing this latest step, says Crellin, feels “surreal”, after growing up in an Everton-supporting family – and idolising Neville Southall, despite being too young to see the exceptional Welshman play for the Club.

“I heard about the potential for the move around 5.45pm on deadline day and straight away wanted to get it over the line,” Crellin told evertontv.

“I am an Evertonian and so are my whole family, so it feels surreal. I am buzzing.

“I want to fit in and work hard, play games for the Under-23s, perhaps go on loan, then start training with the First Team.

“The training ground and facilities are unbelievable and I can’t wait to put on the shirt and play for Everton.

“I will work hard and try to get to the top.”

Crellin joins a first-rate goalkeeping group at Everton, featuring the talent and experience of Jordan Pickford, Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan, in addition to highly-rated youngsters Harry Tyrer, Zan-Luk Leban and Jack Barrett.

England number one Pickford, in common with Crellin, played on loan for multiple clubs in the early phase of his career.

“As a keeper, those loan spells are vital for getting used to men’s football,” said Crellin.

“I was 17 when I went to FC United and fully enjoyed it, I had a lot to do in the games.

“Chorley was a big learning curve, adjusting to the physicality and three points being all that mattered.

“I was going there at 18 to play football, doing something I loved, but quickly realised I needed to perform because people’s livelihoods were at stake.

“Bolton was the biggest learning experience of my career, the team did so well and were promoted [from League Two last season], so I got to see that side of football.

“Jordan is at the very top, where everyone in English football wants to be – England’s number one and playing for Everton, so there is no better person to learn from.

“The keepers here are so experienced and have played so many games.

“I will take bits from everyone to merge into my own game and, hopefully, get to the top.”

The first Everton keeper Crellin watched in the flesh was Tim Howard, who played 414 games for the Club after joining in 2006.

But if Howard was “brilliant”, in Crellin’s view, then Southall, who made a record 751 Everton appearances and won multiple major honours in 17 years at Goodison, is the greatest of them all.

“Neville Southall is my hero,” added Crellin.

“My dad had me watching videos of him, saying, ‘Look how good he was’.

“He was class… the best.”