Everton have signed Conor Coady on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 29-year-old is the Blues' fourth signing of the summer and comes less than 48 hours after centre backs Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina were injured in the opening game of the season. Both are expected to be out for a sustained period.
Coady had been on Everton's radar since the end of last season but interest intensified as it became increasingly clear a change in tactics at Wolves would lead to him dropping from the starting line-up. Coady is keen for first team football as he fights for a place at the World Cup - a battle that will also be helped by playing with England's number one, Jordan Pickford.
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Frank Lampard's fight to lead Everton to Premier League survival was undermined by serious injuries to his centre backs. During the final weeks of last season he consistently spoke of his desire to make his squad more robust. That started with the arrival of James Tarkowski and now continues with the signing of Coady.
The former Wolves captain, who came through Liverpool FC's academy, has missed just one Premier League game in the past four seasons. The need to add to the club's options at centre back grew in significance after Godfrey and Mina picked up injuries in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. Both experienced injury issues last season and are now expected to be out of action for a some time. Coady, meanwhile, missed Wolves' opening day defeat to Leeds United and manager Bruno Lage did not rule out allowing him to leave when asked about the situation last week.
The ECHO understands the deal does include an option to buy at the conclusion of the loan spell. Coady follows Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and his former Wolves teammate Ruben Vinagre as Lampard continues to shape his squad.
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