Everton have announced the signing of right-back Nathan Patterson from Rangers on a five-and-a-half-year deal, with the 20-year-old set to provide immediate and long-term competition to Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman.
Joining for an undisclosed fee, the Scotland international becomes the Toffees' second signing of the transfer window, following Ukraine left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko's arrival from Dynamo Kiev.
Patterson, a Rangers academy product, made his senior debut for the Glasgow outfit in January 2020 and has played 25 times for them in total.
He has spoken with Coleman already, telling evertontv: "It was an easy choice to sign. This is a massive club with huge history and the fanbase is tremendous.
"I had a good conversation with [Seamus] yesterday. He let me know he's a Celtic fan, so he had to get that in there early on!
"I'm really looking forward to working alongside him. He’s an experienced pro who has been through it all. I'm just looking to learn under him.
"I'll try and grab anything I can off him. That's why I'm here, to learn and become a better player and hopefully win things, go on and do well for the club. If I'm working alongside Seamus that's definitely going to happen."
On Monday Rafael Benitez defended his decision to pick Coleman as the left wing-back in a back five against Brighton, who won 3-2 at Goodison Park last weekend.
Naturally left-sided full-back Lucas Digne, who looks set to depart the club after a disagreement with Benitez, was left on the bench and the recently arrived Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko was not part of the matchday squad. Jonjoe Kenny is Benitez's other full-back option.
"The most important thing for me is to have players who want to be there and fight for the club and team-mates, after that you have to choose the best ones possible," the manager said.
Coleman, 33, is now in his 14th year at the Toffees and is 37 matches short of the 400 mark but his performances, like that of the team, have been the subject of some fans' anger.
He's been pressed into action when not fully fit or in need of a rest and that has impacted his effectiveness, but Patterson's arrival should change that.
"There were a few occasions in the past when my form was under scrutiny," the Donegal man said before the Brighton game.
"I am captain of the club and a familiar face. I would rather it be me than someone coming through, or a player who has just signed for the club.
"I can take it on the chin and understand you have to accept the good and bad together. You can't just read about the good times. You have to take the stick when it comes.
"I might not be the playing presence I was at 23 or 24, but as a captain and in training every day, I am giving my all, approaching it as if I was a 22-year-old."
