Everton sign Maitland-Niles from Lyon on permanent deal

Everton have completed the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Olympique Lyonnais on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee, the club announced on deadline day.

The 29-year-old right-back has signed a three-year contract running until the end of June 2029.

Maitland-Niles becomes Everton's seventh addition of the summer window. He follows Merlin Röhl, whose loan was made permanent, as well as Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George, Christian Nørgaard, Brennan Johnson and returning loanee Jack Grealish.

The move represents a return to Premier League football for the Arsenal academy graduate, who holds an FA Cup winners' medal with the Gunners and a UEFA Europa Conference League title from a spell at Roma.

Maitland-Niles made his Arsenal senior debut in 2014 at age 17 before loan moves to Ipswich Town, West Brom, Roma and Southampton. He joined Lyon in August 2023 and made 28 league starts last season, predominantly at right-back, while also featuring eight times in the Europa League.

Across three seasons with the French club, he appeared in 119 games and recorded 22 goal contributions. He can also operate at left-back and in midfield.

A full England international, Maitland-Niles earned his first senior cap in September 2020 against Denmark and went on to collect five caps in total.