Everton Sign Defender Ben Godfrey from Juventus in €15m Deal

Everton have completed the signing of defender Ben Godfrey from Juventus for a reported €15m (£12.7m), bolstering their backline ahead of the new Premier League season. The 26-year-old center-back has signed a four-year contract at Goodison Park, with the deal finalized after he underwent a medical on Merseyside earlier this week.

Godfrey returns to English football after an 18-month spell in Serie A, where he made 32 appearances for Juventus following a €10m move from Norwich City in January 2023. The York-born defender, who has one England cap, is understood to have been prioritized by Everton manager Sean Dyche as the club seeks to improve defensive depth after conceding 58 league goals last season.

The transfer provides Juventus with a modest profit as they continue restructuring under new sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. For Everton, Godfrey's Premier League experience - including 78 top-flight appearances for Norwich and previous loan spells at Burnley and Sheffield United - offers immediate reinforcement to a backline that lost Mason Holgate to Southampton earlier this summer.

Godfrey's arrival marks Everton's third summer signing following the acquisition of midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa and forward Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille. The defender is expected to compete with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite for starting minutes when the Toffees begin their Premier League campaign against Brighton on 17 August.