As we anticipated back in August, Aston Villa have confirmed the capture of 16-year-old winger Jake Doughty from Everton, leaving for Midlands pastures new as a first-year scholar in their academy. Naturally, he steps right into Villa’s U18s squad after spending last season turning out for Everton’s in the U18 Premier League — where he quietly bagged 7 goals in 15 appearances.
Because he was too young to sign professional terms on Merseyside, there’s no proper transfer fee heading our way, either. Just a paltry “youth development compensation” sum from Villa for our trouble. A classic Everton Masterclass™ in watching promising academy talent walk out the door for loose change while the rest of the league rubs their hands together.
Doughty has played at U16 level for England and is just the latest talented youngster to join the club’s academy where manager Mark Harrison boasted on the club website: “We are delighted that Jake has joined us from Everton. He is a wide attacking player with excellent technical qualities and an ability to create and score goals.
“Jake played a number of times for Everton Under-18s and represented England at Under-16 level. We look forward to seeing how Jake develops over the next few years.”