Everton have signed Republic of Ireland international centre-back Jake O’Brien on a four-year contract; 23-year-old joined French club from Crystal Palace in 2023

Everton have signed Republic of Ireland defender Jake O’Brien from Lyon for £17m.

The 23-year-old centre-back has signed a four-year deal and returns to the Premier League, having only joined the Ligue 1 club from Crystal Palace last year.

However, he went on to play 27 times in the French top flight, scoring four goals.

Since then, the 6ft 6ins defender has gone on to make his international debut, featuring twice for the Republic of Ireland in their June friendlies.

“I’m buzzing and so happy to have signed for Everton,” O’Brien told evertontv. “I’ve been dreaming of this kind of move in the Premier League, with such a historic club. It’s a very exciting move for me.

“When the transfer window opened there were other clubs in for me but there was only one club I wanted to go to – it was Everton.