Everton sign Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace as Dwight McNeil moves to Selhurst Park in transfer swap deal
Brennan Johnson signs for Everton from Crystal Palace as Dwight McNeil heads in the other direction to Selhurst Park; Johnson only signed for Palace in January for £35m; McNeil missed out on a Deadline Day move to Palace earlier this year; both players have signed four-year deals
Tuesday 11 August 2026 11:44, UK
Everton have signed winger Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace in a transfer swap deal that sees Dwight McNeil move to Selhurst Park.
Both players have signed four-year deals, with Johnson departing Palace having only signed in January from Tottenham for £35m, but they have landed McNeil, who nearly joined them on Deadline Day in that same window, but the move broke down because paperwork wasn't submitted in time.
Johnson, 25, becomes the fifth summer signing for David Moyes' Everton after Merlin Rohl's loan obligation was activated along with the additions of Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Christian Norgaard.
McNeil, 26, joins defenders Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu in signing for Palace this summer, having sold centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.
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Johnson: Moyes believes in me
Johnson, who only played 26 times for Palace and didn't score, said: "I'm so excited to be here. The club speaks for itself - it's a massive club and one that when I first heard of the interest, I immediately wanted to come and be part of it.
"There were a lot of reasons why I was so keen to join - the manager, the players, the direction the team is going in. You can see this is a club that wants to go in the right direction, and I'm a player who wants to go in that direction, too, so it feels like a really good match.
"I want to come in and show what I can do. The manager spoke to me about getting back to the form that I've shown previously, and that's a massive thing for me - the fact he knows and believes in what I can do. For me, listening to him - a manager who is so experienced and someone who has been so successful - it was really nice to hear.
"I want to bring all of my attributes. First and foremost, I'll work for the team, the fans, and represent the club properly. I know that's something that's definitely appreciated and a non-negotiable here. They can expect that from me. On top of that, I think I can bring speed, goals and everything I've got.
"The incredible fanbase that Everton has, whether it's home or away, is something I've always felt. It's a massive honour to be here and play for them now."
Parish clears air with McNeil and his partner
Palace chairman Steve Parish is understood to have had positive direct discussions with McNeil and his partner Megan Sharpley ahead of this deal being agreed.
The talks were needed to clear the air after Sharpley criticised those involved in McNeil's failed move to Palace in the January transfer window, claiming it had a negative impact on his mental health.
At the time, Sharpley said she "questioned the industry" after Palace went from "everything to radio silence" on Deadline Day despite McNeil agreeing to the move and undergoing a medical.
In a lengthy social media post at the time, she said: "We live in a world where everyone is aware of how big a problem mental health is.
"So, in football, why do we find it acceptable because these young men are on a lot of money and that's okay to mess and toy with their mental health and that it's just part of the job? No matter of money, we all deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, and fairly."
McNeil scored 15 goals and provided 18 assists in 130 appearances for Everton.
Upon joining Palace, he said: "I'm really happy to be here, and looking forward to the challenge ahead.
"The lads have had some great success over the last two seasons. It's something that I want to be a part of, so I'm really looking forward to getting started."
Crystal Palace transfers
In
Dwight McNeil - Everton, undisclosed
Oscar Mingueza - Celta Vigo, free
Takehiro Tomiyasu - Ajax, free
Out
Brennan Johnson - Everton, undisclosed
Maxence Lacroix - Chelsea, £51m
Danny Imray - Wrexham, £5m
Jackson Izquierdo - Crawley, free
Asher Agbinone - Al Wahda, free
Craig Farquhar - Barnet, free
Jemiah Umolu - Gent, free
Hindolo Mustapha - Wigan, loan
Owen Goodman - Dundee, loan
Asher Agbinone - released
Rylan Brownlie - released
Matteo Dashi - released
Jake Grante - released
Zack Henry - released
Zach Marsh - released
Jack Mason - released
Joshua Muwana - released
David Obou - released
Stuart Oduro - released
Abdul Ouedraogo - released
Dylan Reid - released
Kaden Rodney - released
Harry Whitworth - released
Everton transfers
In
Brennan Johnson - Crystal Palace, undisclosed
Hayden Hackney - Middlesbrough, £24m
Tyrique George - Chelsea, £24m
Merlin Rohl - Freiburg, £19m
Out
Dwight McNeil - Crystal Palace, undisclosed
Demi Akarakiri - Cagliari, free
Coby Ebere - Cukaricki, free
Goodness Gospel-Eze - Stockport, free
Isaac Heath - Cambridge, free
Francis Okoronkwo - Doncaster, free
Seamus Coleman - released
Tyler Onyango - released
Idrissa Gueye - released
Jacob Beaumont-Clark - released
Kingsford Boakye - released
Roman Dixon - released
Bradley Moonan - released
Louis Poland - released
Charlie Stewart - released
Reece Welch - released
Kean Wren - released
