Everton add O'Brien as latest summer signing

Confirmed on Sky Sports News.

Welcome, Mr O'Brien.

Sorry folks, couldn't resist it!

Another decent signing, keep it going please, Kev.

You are already lifting our backline to new heights!

Welcome, Jake, our own Corkonian.

Not sure if he (or anyone) will adapt to the Premier League quite so seamlessly as Jarrad did but he has top-class potential.

Possibly the best set of centre-backs we've had since Distin, Lescott and Jagielka?

Pace, power, physicality and no small amount of determination.

I expect Seamus had a word in his ear. With the help of a stepladder.

Jeez, we're doing some great business here...

So who's in next? ... Gnoto, McKennie or both!!

Squad beginning to take shape. With Patterson and Mykolenko injured, we really need to sign a full-back. Surely we're not going to start the season with Coleman and Young at the back!

Another great young talent coming in.

Five signings by the end of July is impressive work. Also impressive is the age profile of the newcomers.

Very pleased with our signings to date.

I'm so so impressed with our signings and their (seemingly upside value)

Well done Thelwell and whoever is at the tiller

I do like the recruitment so far mainly young hungry players with a point to prove.

And then the voice popped in my head: "How the hell are we affording any of this???"

Is there any news about another buyer? We're broke! Where are we finding this money? Or are we already spending the Friedkin moola with no means to repay it?

I'm happy, but seriously concerned.

Replacement for DCL??

So refreshing to be upbeat about Everton. Welcome to the club, Jake! Is the tattoo rumor true?

3 new bought players, all good ages, all good prices - all of whom will rightly view Everton as a big step up and an opportunity. If they do well, each could be a fixture in the side for the next 5 years +.

You can build a really good side off the back of that sort of stability. It's not going to be immediate (as the shocker at Coventry confirms) but a bit of patience could pay dividends. If Chermiti and Patterson can really kick on this season, that would accelerate the process.

But Bainsey was stuck on the bench for that whole season, to the point when he nearly requested a transfer... that is something that I hope will not happen but, with Dyche's stubbornness... all I can say is "Never say Never"!

Read or listen to his interview on the official website. He comes across as a very level-headed lad. I listened on the train on the way back last night, which was like therapy.

Alongside Tarkowski and Branthwaite, that's an impressive centre-back line-up if we can accommodate all three of them.

Can you play right-back?

Why did Crystal Palace let him go for £1M just a season ago?

Oh dear, what a shame, never mind.

Anyone have a spare spinnaker?

Even this season, if Garner, Harrison, Patterson don't perform, they need to go. We have a long way to go yet to see a decent team. Doing the right dealings now though.

Works hard like Harrison but that's about it.

I will take the other side of that.

What a shame we let Niels Nkounkou go, he would have been ideal for a left-wing back, attacking down the left side.

He was very young then with practically no top level experience. He has come alive at Lyon and looks very similar to Jarrad in every sense. Don't forget, we bought him for £1M.

We've done the same ourselves, mind, with Antonee Robinson. Ater having watched him regularly at Wigan in 2018-19 I couldn't believe it when we let him go for buttons, especially with Baines's career tapering off around the same time.

https://youtu.be/_7UbNP3HozY?si=pP7qHtlnZ5tJF7G6