Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined Everton on the final day of the summer transfer window in September 2026 from Olympique Lyonnais for an undisclosed fee.

Penning a three-year contract until the end of June 2029, the right-back's switch marked a return to Premier League football for the Arsenal academy graduate whose honours include an FA Cup with the Gunners and Europa Conference League during a spell at Roma.

Maitland-Niles – a senior England international – came through the youth ranks at Arsenal, making his senior debut in 2014 aged 17, before going on to enjoy loan stints at Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion, Roma and Southampton.

Signing for Lyon in August 2023, he was a regular in Ligue 1, making 28 league starts in 2025/26, primarily at right-back, while also featuring eight times in the UEFA Europa League.

Across his three years with the French giants, Maitland-Niles played 119 games, recording 22 goal contributions, and offers versatility, as he can also play at left-back and in midfield.

An England youth player as a youngster, the defender was called up to the Three Lions senior side for the first time in August 2020, debuting in September against Denmark and earning a further four caps.

Maitland-Niles enjoyed a dream debut for Everton five days after joining the Club, coming off the bench to score a stunning 25-yard injury-time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Contracted until: June 2029