Grealish to Honour Gascoigne and Rooney with Iconic Everton No.18 Shirt

Jack Grealish is set to join Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City, with the move including a £50 million option to buy. The England international will wear the club’s No.18 shirt — a number famously worn at Goodison Park by two of his footballing idols, Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney.

🗞️Jack Grealish is set to wear the number 1⃣8⃣ shirt for Everton in line with his England heroes & former Everton players Paul Gascoigne & Wayne Rooney.

A loan move from Manchester City is now completed.

(@mcgrathmike) pic.twitter.com/3aDgbuoDK4
— Everton FC News 💙 (@NilSatisNews) August 12, 2025

Grealish, 29, has been a long-time admirer of both players, whose careers at Everton left a mark on English football. Gascoigne’s flair and creativity in midfield, paired with Rooney’s explosive rise as a teenager, have made the No.18 shirt a symbol of talent and ambition at the Merseyside club. For Grealish, the shirt represents both personal inspiration and the opportunity to make his own impact.

The decision to take No.18 also reflects a link to his early playing days, when he wore the same number during his spell with the Republic of Ireland under-21s in the 2013/14 season. While Everton’s No.10 shirt is currently held by Iliman Ndiaye, Grealish’s choice carries historical and sentimental weight.

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His arrival comes after a challenging period at Manchester City. Signed from Aston Villa in 2021 for a then-British record transfer fee, Grealish struggled for consistent game time last season amid fierce competition for attacking roles. Despite flashes of brilliance, his limited minutes prompted the search for a fresh challenge — one that Everton appear ready to provide.

Grealish looking to provide creativity in Toffee Midfield

David Moyes’s side will look to Grealish for creativity, vision, and experience, with the midfielder capable of playing both centrally and out wide. His skillset could complement Everton’s attacking structure and help the team push higher up the Premier League table.

The loan deal offers benefits for both parties: Everton gain a proven Premier League talent without an immediate long-term financial commitment, while Grealish gets the platform to reignite his career and potentially secure a permanent move. For Manchester City, it provides an opportunity to reassess the player’s role in their future plans.

If all goes as planned, Grealish could make his Everton debut in the coming weeks, stepping onto the pitch in a shirt rich with history and expectation.