Everton have announced the permanent signing of midfielder Merlin Röhl from SC Freiburg, for a fee reported to be around €25million including the cost of the loan spell. The transfer brings an end to Röhl’s loan period with the Toffees, where he made 17 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring one goal for David Moyes’ side.
SC Freiburg have confirmed the deal, which sees them receive a substantial fee for the 24-year-old German player. Röhl’s transfer, alongside Kevin Schade’s move to Brentford in 2023 for the same amount, represents a joint club record sale for the Breisgau club. While this record is currently shared, Freiburg anticipate that Johan Manzambi, their current star player, may surpass it in the near future.
Röhl joined Freiburg in 2022 from Greuther Fürth, making 44 appearances for the club before his loan move to Everton in January 2024. He quickly became a regular in Moyes’ squad, demonstrating versatility by playing both in midfield and in more advanced attacking positions. His performances contributed to Everton's successful fight against relegation, solidifying his place in the team.
Everton’s decision to secure Röhl on a permanent basis demonstrates their faith in his abilities and his contribution to the squad. The fee paid reflects the growing demand for dynamic midfielders and Freiburg’s success in developing and selling valuable assets. This transfer provides Everton with a long-term option in midfield as they look to build on their Premier League stability. Manzambi, meanwhile, continues to attract significant interest, with Newcastle United reportedly leading the chase for the Swiss international.
