Everton agree €24m deal with Lyon for former Cork City centre-back Jake O’Brien

The 6’6” centre-back thrived for Lyon last season, his promotion to the team coinciding with a resurgence that peaked with a French Cup final appearance and European qualification.

Sat, 27 Jul, 2024 - 16:16

John Fallon

Jake O’Brien is returning to England after Everton agreed a €24m deal with Lyon for the Corkman.

The 6’6” centre-back thrived for Lyon last season, his promotion to the team coinciding with a resurgence that peaked with a French Cup final appearance and European qualification.

That ascent – coupled with his breakthrough into the Ireland team for the June friendlies – provoked a clamour of interest, with suitors across Europe’s top leagues including him on their wishlist.

A 23-year-old left-sided centre-back of his calibre is a rare commodity that clubs are willing to splash out on.

Lyon slapped a £25m price tag on their prize asset, causing Wolves to baulk at the prospect of hatching a deal.

Everton, admirers of the Youghal man since the January transfer window, remained an active option, while Brentford last week registered their interest, but the Toffees have got their man. A medical is due to be completed in the coming days.

Sean Dyche will look to pair his new recruit with Jarrad Branthwaite, the England defender he’s resisted overtures from Manchester United this summer to sign.

Jake O'Brien (R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the French Cup final. Pic: DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images

O’Brien left Cork City for Crystal Palace in 2021 but never played a first-team game, instead undertaking loan spells at Swindon Town and RWD Molenbeek.

The latter, a Belgian club he helped gain promotion to the top-flight, are, along with Palace, in the multi-club portfolio of American billionaire John Textor.

Shortly after Manchester City’s mothership, City Group, lodged a £2m bid with Palace last summer, aiming to initially place him with one of the European feeder clubs, he was sold to Lyon.

O’Brien has always held ambitions of testing himself in England again and he joins Ireland captain Seamus Coleman on Merseyside a year out from Everton moving into their new 52,000-capacity Bramley Moore Dock stadium.