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Everton have completed their capture of highly rated teenage defender Lewis Gibson for a fee which could rise to £6m.

The 17-year-old has signed a three-year deal and will join David Unsworth's under-23s squad.

The Blues beat off interest from most of the top four to sign the England youth international.

A product of Newcastle’s Academy, Gibson was a regular starter in the north east club’s Under-18s side last season and, after impressing, he was promoted to their reserve team.

His form for the Magpies earned him a call-up to England’s Under-17s side for this summer’s European Championships in which he was an ever-present as the Young Lions were beaten on penalties in the final by Spain.



"Everton is a brilliant club and when the opportunity presented itself I wanted to be part of it," Gibson said.

"The reputation has long been there that Everton brings through young players. You only have to look at the likes of Tom Davies, Kieran Dowell, Jonjoe Kenny and several others who are battling for first-team places to know this.



"I'm a player who is willing to put my body on the line, the kind of defender who likes to tackle and is not afraid. I'm excited to be part of things here and I want to continue developing as a player. This is where I want to be."

The left-sided defender turned down offers from Spurs, City and Southampton, among several others, to join the Blues.

Unsworth and Head of Under-23s recruitment Jamie Hoyland made Gibson one of their main summer transfer targets and following the signings of Josh Bowler, Boris Mathis and Nathangelo Markelo, they have finally landed the in-demand defender.