Everton have confirmed the signing of teenage defender Mason Holgate from Barnsley.
The 18-year-old passed a medical on Merseyside yesterday and has now signed a five-year contract.
The Toffees describe the fee as “undisclosed”, but reports are claiming that it is around the £2m mark.
CONFIRMED: We have completed the signing of 18-year-old defender Mason Holgate from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) August 13, 2015
Roberto Martinez told Everton’s official website: “With Mason, an opportunity came up and we didn’t want to lose out. He is a young man with a very impressive future.
“His development is going to be important and it will be interesting to see how quickly he can have an impact on the first-team. But he is not a player who I would expect to perform straightaway in the Premier League – that would be very unfair.
“Mason, already at 18, has played 20 games in League One, which shows his incredible potential. I feel that we are the perfect place in order for Mason to develop into a top footballer.
“I know that he is a player who can bring us something quite unique, so we are excited about that possibility, even though he is one for the future rather than now.”
Holgate made his debut for Barnsley, from where Everton also signed Chelsea target John Stones in 2013, in December 2014 and went on to make 22 appearances for the League One club last season.
Manchester United had previously been credited with a strong interest in the new Everton signing.
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