Everton starlet completes move to Aston Villa just 24 hours after opposite transfer announced

Lewis Dobbin has completed his move to Aston Villa.

The forward, who joined Everton at the age of 11, will join Unai Emery’s side for an undisclosed fee.

Villa’s interest in Dobbin emerged this week and advanced quickly with the 21-year-old agreeing personal terms and passing his medical. His departure comes after a promising season for the attacker, who was a regular feature of Sean Dyche’s first team squads after impressing during pre-season last summer.

Dobbin had been wanted by Championship clubs after a campaign in League One with Derby County, but Dyche chose to keep him at Finch Farm and the youngster scored his first senior goal in the 2-0 win over Chelsea in December.

The switch comes just 24 hours after midfielder Tim Iroegbunam moved in the opposite direction after days of negotiations between the two clubs.

He made 20 senior appearances in total, with Everton saying upon confirmation of his exit: “Everyone at the Club would like to thank Lewis for his contribution to Everton, from his journey through our Academy to Senior Team, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Coming just days before the end of the football financial year the sale will provide a significant boost in the club’s efforts to comply with the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Regulations it has breached for the past two years.

Dobbin’s sale follows the arrival at Everton of 20-year-old Iroegbunam, who joined from Villa on Saturday – also for an undisclosed fee.