Everton have beaten off competition from a number of clubs to sign 16-year-old striker Braiden Graham from Linfield following an initial report to that effect by MSN.
The teenager, who was also being closely monitored by Brighton, will join the Toffees at the end of this season on a scholarship deal with a view to turning professional when he turns 17.
In March, he became Linfield's youngest ever player when he made his senior debut against Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Premiership at the age of 15 years and 137 days.
The Northern Ireland club's manager, David Healy, said of Graham at the time: "He's got all the tools, all the attributes, but we'll not be getting carried away — he has got a long, tough road ahead of him.
"He brings goals, he brings energy. I've seen Braiden for the last three years or so in and around the academy — he stepped up to under-18s, he's playing under-20s, against real physical specimens in some of the teams he is playing against.
"He's brave and he's 'goals, goals, goals', he prowls in and around and he's a deadly finisher.
"He'll get all the help and advice and coaching points that we can give him and I, as an ex-centre forward, can offer him. He's a sponge, he wants to learn, and he has a good future ahead of him."
Born in Darragh Cross, Graham has represented Northern Ireland at U16 and U17 level so far.
Quotes sourced from The Athletic
Reader Comments (10)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
2 Posted 28/11/2023 at 18:34:05
Warrayahear. Warrayasay
3 Posted 28/11/2023 at 18:55:20
4 Posted 28/11/2023 at 20:25:02
5 Posted 29/11/2023 at 15:56:05
6 Posted 29/11/2023 at 16:16:45
7 Posted 29/11/2023 at 16:51:27
I'm not a Linfield supporter and have never seen him play. However, a friend, a woman who has followed Larne, long before they became the Irish League Chelsea, has.
Also, her grandson, who has been involved with Linfield for a long time, says he is the best young player he has ever seen.
Loads of talent, with a brilliant attitude. Heard this ages ago.
Alan, I well remember Martin Murray!! He was good.
8 Posted 29/11/2023 at 16:58:32
Everton have signed many ''prospects'' in the past and many have gone on to be of no use to Everton.
Rooney was the best we ever had and we all know what happened there.
Let's get this ''10 points'' appeal off and running.
9 Posted 29/11/2023 at 17:49:48
Word tends to get out when a Good'n comes along. You can't keep talent a secret. I'll look out for young Braiden - A Christian name I have not come across before.
Welcome aboard son.
Don
Maybe. I can't be sure, but I definitely stole it from a Yank Gangster film.
10 Posted 29/11/2023 at 22:51:00
I will keep an eye out for this lad next season as it seems more U21 games are being played at Walton Hall Park now, which is easier to get to than Southport.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
1 Posted 28/11/2023 at 18:30:28