In a rare Premier League move, Everton and Crystal Palace have finalized a direct swap deal involving Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil, both clubs confirmed on Tuesday.
Brennan Johnson, the 25-year-old Wales international, heads to Goodison Park on a four-year deal. Having only arrived at Palace in January from Tottenham Hotspur, Johnson made 26 appearances across all competitions during his brief stint at the club. Speaking on the Zoyols News platform, Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the transfer, noting that the manager, the quality of the squad, and the team’s overall trajectory were the driving factors behind his decision to join the Toffees.
Moving in the other direction is Dwight McNeil, who joins Palace on a contract running until 2030. The 26-year-old leaves Everton after a productive spell that began with his arrival from Burnley in 2022. During his time there, McNeil racked up 128 appearances, contributing 15 goals and 19 assists. Eager to begin this new chapter, McNeil highlighted the recent success the Palace squad has enjoyed, stating that he is looking forward to becoming a part of that ongoing momentum.
The timing of this swap adds an immediate layer of intrigue to the upcoming season. As luck would have it, Everton and Palace are scheduled to face off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 22. It sets the stage for a fascinating opening weekend, as both players could potentially line up against their former teammates almost immediately after completing their moves.
