Everton have completed the permanent signing of Super Eagles-eligible winger Tyrique George from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £24 million (approximately ₦44 billion), with Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle expected to continue monitoring the youngster’s progress.
The agreement sees Everton pay an initial £18 million, while a further £6 million could be added through performance-related bonuses. Chelsea have also negotiated a 15 percent sell-on clause as part of the transfer.
George impressed during his loan spell at Goodison Park last season, making 11 Premier League appearances and earning the trust of manager David Moyes with his pace, direct running and attacking flair. Rather than activating the original £25 million purchase option, Everton returned to the negotiating table and secured a lower guaranteed fee before reaching a full agreement with Chelsea.
The 20-year-old is expected to become one of Everton’s key attacking options as the club continues its summer rebuild under Moyes ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
The move is also significant from a Nigerian perspective. George remains eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian father, while his mother is Ghanaian. Although he has featured for England at youth level from the Under-15s to the Under-21s, he is yet to make a competitive senior appearance, leaving him free to choose between Nigeria, England and Ghana.
His eligibility has placed him firmly on the radar of Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who has made recruiting talented dual-nationality players one of his priorities since taking charge of the national team. George has previously spoken proudly about his Nigerian heritage, further fuelling hopes that he could one day wear the famous green and white jersey.
A product of Chelsea’s renowned Cobham Academy, George progressed through every youth level before making his senior breakthrough. He scored his first senior goal in the UEFA Conference League and was named Chelsea’s Men’s Academy Player of the Year before competition for places prompted his loan move to Everton.
Now that his switch has been made permanent, the talented winger has a clear opportunity to establish himself as a regular Premier League starter. Consistent performances at Everton could strengthen his chances of receiving a maiden Super Eagles call-up, although England and Ghana are also expected to continue monitoring his international future.
