Medical passed! Everton to finalise £17m signing of Irish defender Jake O’Brien from Lyon

Per Fabrizio Romano, the Irish defender has passed his medical at Everton and will now formally put pen to paper on a five-year deal. The Toffees will pay a transfer fee of €20 million (£17m/$22m) to Lyon to complete the deal.

O'Brien joins Sean Dyche's side amid speculation over the club's star defender Jarrad Branthwaite's future in Merseyside. The young English defender has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but his club are expected to demand a hefty in the region of £70m-£80m ($90m-$103m).

The Republic of Ireland international had earlier signed for Crystal Palace in 2021 but did not appear in a single game for the Seagulls. He moved out on two different loan spells to Swindon Town and RWD Molenbeek before securing a permanent move to Lyon last year.

Dyche's men have already begun their pre-season preparations and will next seen in action on Tuesday as they take on Championship side Coventry City.