by Everton has officially agreed on the transfer of promising central defender John Dodds from Scottish club Hearts, betting on youth as part of the club’s new era. The 16-year-old talent, who has yet to debut for the first team in Scotland, is already considered one of the most exciting players of his generation and has attracted the attention of several clubs in England. However, it was the Merseyside club that managed to convince both Hearts and the player himself.
Dodds will be Everton’s first signing since the arrival of new owner Dan Friedkin, and this move already looks like part of an ambitious plan to rebuild the team. The club is preparing to move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore and intends to actively refresh its squad in the upcoming transfer window. David Moyes’ involvement in the project also promises to be extensive — he will be provided with all the necessary resources to form a competitive team.
Despite his young age, Dodds has already made a name for himself at the youth level, and Everton is confident that he will eventually grow into the first team. Although the defender will initially play for the club’s youth teams, his path to the main squad could accelerate under favorable circumstances, especially if the club parts ways with Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, who is in demand by top clubs.
Everton is essentially betting not only on the present but also on the future, building a team capable of competing in the long term. And the signing of Dodds is the first brick in this new foundation.
