By Martin Graham
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has officially joined Everton from Chelsea in a deal worth around £28 million. The initial transfer sum is set at £24 million, with potential bonuses of up to £4 million included.
The 26-year-old midfielder has signed a long-term agreement that will keep him at Goodison Park until June 2030. He becomes the club’s fifth new recruit of the summer, following the signings of Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, and Adam Aznou.
Dewsbury-Hall expressed enthusiasm about the switch, saying the move felt like a natural step. He noted his family’s excitement and said the environment gives him extra motivation to succeed and prove his value on the pitch.
A mixed spell at Chelsea and a proven track record
During his sole season with Chelsea, Dewsbury-Hall was largely on the fringes of the Premier League squad. With Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernandez ahead of him in the selection order, the midfielder only made two league starts and played a total of 256 minutes across 13 appearances.
Despite limited domestic involvement, he delivered valuable contributions in European and global competitions. He scored four times in the UEFA Conference League and assisted Jadon Sancho’s goal in the 4-1 final win over Real Betis. He also netted against Benfica in the Club World Cup and featured in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in another 3-0 victory.
Chelsea’s financial situation also played a role in the transfer. UEFA recently imposed restrictions linked to Financial Fair Play, requiring the club to generate income through player sales from their Conference League squad. Without these sales, the club risks being unable to register newcomers like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Liam Delap for European competitions.
While Dewsbury-Hall wasn’t a regular in Chelsea’s league campaign, his statistics from Leicester City’s promotion season suggest he could bring attacking depth to Everton. In the 2023–24 Championship season, he scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists, helping his boyhood club secure the title. Only three players have bettered those numbers in any of the past ten second-division campaigns.
Everton manager David Moyes is reportedly eager to strengthen his squad in central areas, particularly with the need to replace the offensive output of Abdoulaye Doucoure. Dewsbury-Hall’s move adds another option with proven scoring and creative capabilities from midfield.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
About the author: Martin Graham
Martin Graham is a football journalist and writer with extensive experience covering the world's most popular sport. He specialises in football news, match analysis, player features and historical football content, with a particular interest in international tournaments and the game's biggest stories. His writing combines detailed research with a clear, engaging style, making complex football topics accessible to a wide…