Jack Grealish takes iconic Everton shirt number to emulate England heroes with loan move complete

Jack Grealish will emulate two of his heroes when he puts on his new Everton shirt for the first time.

Grealish has completed a season-long loan switch from Manchester City to the Toffees.

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The 29-year-old passed a medical and will join up with David Moyes‘ squad immediately.

Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – It’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go. On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well and that’s another reason why I chose Everton.

“I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I’ve had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I’m sure I will.”

Grealish will hope that the move sparks his career back to life after struggling for regular minutes with Man City last season.

And what better motivation than to emulate two of your idols by taking their old number at Everton.

He will wear the No.18 shirt at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It is the same number worn by English footballing icons Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne at the club.

In 2020, Grealish, who is often compared to Gascoigne for his playstyle and antics off the pitch, opened up on his heroes Gazza and Rooney.

And after his loan move was completed on Tuesday, he spoke about his decision to wear 18 at Everton.

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“There is a reason for [choosing number 18],” he said. “There were other numbers but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore number 18 here.

“So, as soon as I knew this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me and it was the only number I was going to take from that point.

“I spoke to Wayne [Rooney] before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well!”

When breaking out into instant stardom at the turn of the century, Rooney donned 18 on the back of his shirt at Goodison Park.

He wore the digits from 2001 to 2004 before moving on to Manchester United and creating a legacy as a No.10.

In a strange connection, Rooney actually became the club’s No.18 after Gascoigne too – he wore the number on his shirt during his two seasons at Everton from 2000 to 2001.

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First meeting

Grealish met his idol Gascoigne for the first time two years ago following an England win over North Macedonia.

The Three Lions won 7-0 and speaking to talkSPORT after the match, he revealed what was said between the pair.

“I just asked him for a photo,” Grealish told talkSPORT.

“He is an absolute icon, and that is the first time I have met him.

“I have seen in the past that he has said good words sometimes, and I just said ‘thank you’ for those nice words.

“It is an absolute pleasure to meet someone like that.”