Jack Grealiskh took guidance from Wayne Rooney when he launched his new career by taking the squad number that the English legend became famous in Everton.
GREALISH completed the formalities for Manchester City on Tuesday and trained for the first time on Everton's Finch Farm Base. He was able to make his long -awaited debut on Leeds next Monday evening.
Everton has the option to buy Greals in 12 months, but it will not be for the £ 50 million that has been disputed – he will be 30 soon and that price would not be logical. He also held a considerable wages to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
He will wear the 18 shirt and revealed that the song was so special for him that it is synonymous with Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, who had a short spell on Merseyside at the turn of the century.
“There were other numbers, but my two favorite English players are once Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore number 18 here,” said Grealish.
'So as soon as I knew that this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me and it was the only number I would take from that moment.
'I spoke with Wayne Rooney before I came here and I called him – about number 18 – so I hope he is happy too! As soon as I spoke with the manager (David Moyes), I knew that there was only one place I wanted to go.
“On social media I am flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there is also that side of it and that is another reason why I chose Everton.”
Moyes, as Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday, is a very convincing man when he wants to bring in a top player and he believes that Grealish can offer the star quality that his team needs.
“I know that Jack's ambition is to go back to the team of England,” said Moyes. 'So hopefully we can help him achieve that during the season.
“We are all looking forward to working with him and offering a platform for him to show the best version of himself.”