Jake O’Brien has become Everton’s fifth signing of the summer.
The Republic of Ireland international follows Jesper Lindstrom, Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Harrison and Tim Iroegbunam in joining the ranks at Goodison Park.
O’Brien arrives on a £17 million deal from Lyon, where he spent the previous season, after completing a routine medical on Merseyside earlier this week.
The right-footed centre-back has been on the Blues’ radar for some time with both Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell long-term admirers of his abilities.
He said: “I’m a ball-playing centre half, fast, I like to attack in both boxes and I like to bring a bit of excitement.
“You see how Sean Dyche develops young centre-halves and what he has done for Jarrad [Branthwaite].
“The way he’s going now, the season he’s had in the Premier League, it’s obviously something I look at and something I want to replicate.
“This season, I just want to play as many games as I can and help the club get higher up the table. It’s an exciting time and it’d be good to end the season – the last season at Goodison Park – as high up the table as we can.
“We’ve then got the new stadium, which looks great. Not just that but we’re shaping a team for the future and can push on.”
O’Brien’s capture is not expected to open the door to Jarrad Branthwaite’s exit despite Manchester United maintaining an interest in the England defender.