Everton have signed highly-rated academy star Nathan Broadhead to a new, short-term deal, the club have confirmed.
The Wales Under 21 international was set to be out of contract at Goodison Park next summer, but the board have moved to avoid his potential departure in 2020 by offering the forward a one-year extension.
Broadhead has accepted the terms proposed in recent discussions, and has left Merseyside on loan with chances of first-team football under Marco Silva unlikely.
Burton Albion is the destination for the Blues’ U23 winger, who featured regularly under David Unsworth on route to a junior double in the Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup last season.
According to Football Insider, the League One side were hopeful they could finalise a deal for the Bangor-born attacker to join Nigel Clough’s squad at the Pirelli Stadium, who begin their new season on Saturday, August 3 at home to Ipswich Town, as they had been keeping tabs on Broadhead for some time.
Clough is also understood to be behind Broadhead’s decision to join Burton on loan, as it was the 53-year-old’s plans that convinced the Toffees youngster to join his side.
Broadhead may not be able to feature for the Brewers until their week two encounter with Gillingham on August 10, however, as players had to be registered by noon on Friday, August 2 in order to play in the curtain-raiser on Saturday.
Silva had been impressed by what the 21-year-old displayed during the Blues’ pre-season, but felt a move out on loan would be more beneficial for his development.
The youth international, who has trained with the senior Wales squad under Ryan Giggs, made 24 outings with our U23s last season across all competitions, scoring four times and was credited with three assists, as he was named our junior Player of the Year.