ASTON VILLA SIGN STRIKER LEWIS DOBBIN, 21, FROM EVERTON JUST 24 HOURS AFTER MIDFIELDER TIM IROEGBUNAM MOVED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
- Twenty-one-year-old striker Lewis Dobbin has joined Aston Villa from Everton
- Dobbin's move to Villa Park was confirmed by both clubs on Sunday afternoon
- Everton signed 20-year-old midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Villa on Saturday
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Lewis Dobbin from fellow Premier League side Everton.
Villa confirmed Dobbin's arrival on Sunday via a 68-word statement published on the club's official website.
It read: 'Aston Villa is pleased to announce the signing of Lewis Dobbin from Everton.
'The 21-year-old made his senior debut for the Goodison Park club in 2021 before spending the 2022/23 season on loan at Derby County.
'Dobbin featured regularly in Everton's matchday squads throughout last season, scoring his first Premier League goal against Chelsea in December. The forward has also represented England at various youth levels. Welcome, Lewis!'
Everton added in a farewell statement on X (formerly Twitter): 'Everyone at #EFC would like to thank Lewis for his contribution, from his journey through @EvertonAcademy to Senior Team, and we wish him all the best for the future.'
Dobbin - who has been capped by England at U16, U17 and U19 levels - has 15 Premier League appearances to his name, but just one as a starter.
He has been on the books at Goodison Park since he first joined the club's academy in 2014.
Dobbin's move from Everton to Villa was announced just 24 hours after 20-year-old midfielder Tim Iroegbunam had moved in the opposite direction for a transfer fee of £9 million.
Iroegbunam made 15 appearances in all competitions for Unai Emery's side last season, coming off the bench in both legs of Villa's Europa Conference League defeat to Olympiakos.
A graduate of Villa's academy, Iroegbunam has represented England at multiple youth levels and was part of Ian Foster's U19 side that won the European Championships in 2022.
Speaking following his side's first signing of the summer, Sean Dyche said that he was looking forward to working with the midfielder.
'We're pleased to add Tim to our midfield options.' Dyche said. 'He is a young player who is still learning and developing but clearly has a lot of the qualities we want in that area of the pitch.
'My coaching staff and I are looking forward to starting to work with him in pre-season.'
Iroegbunam signed a three-year deal with Everton until the summer of 2027.
'It was a move that I didn't want to pass by. I wanted to take the opportunity,' he said.
'When I've been to Goodison as an opposition player, I've seen how the Everton fans are. You can tell straight away what the atmosphere is like – they are always backing the team. I'm going to work hard for them.
'I just can't wait to get started. I'm going to give everything and I can't wait to show what I can bring to this club.'
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