Former Arsenal star seals Premier League return

Former Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles has secured a sensational return to the Premier League.

The versatile right-back has joined Everton from Lyon on a permanent three-year contract. His arrival ends the Toffees’ exhaustive search for defensive reinforcements.

According to The Athletic, Everton initially weighed up a move for Fulham’s Kenny Tete before securing the 29-year-old Arsenal academy product.

The club announced the versatile full-back’s arrival in an official statement on X: “We have completed the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a permanent transfer from Olympique Lyonnais for an undisclosed fee. Welcome to Everton, Ainsley!”

Maitland-Niles becomes Everton’s seventh summer addition, following Merlin Rohl’s permanent switch alongside deals for Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George, Christian Norgaard, Brennan Johnson, and Jack Grealish’s loan return.

Ainsley MAITLAND-NILES has left Lyon for a new adventure at Everton. (Photo by Ewen Gavet/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Barring any registration delays, Maitland-Niles could make his competitive Everton debut when the Toffees host Manchester United in the Premier League at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

Maitland-Niles who graduated from Arsenal academy has proved himself on the biggest stages. He won the FA Cup with Arsenal and the UEFA Europa Conference League at Roma.

He enjoyed a successful three-year stint in France after arriving in August 2023. He made 119 appearances across all competitions for Lyon, recording 22 goal contributions and starting 28 league matches last season.

His experience with top clubs across Europe will help Everton push for silverware this season.