Everton prospect Branthwaite completes loan move to PSV

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite will work with Ruud van Nistelrooy after being sent on loan to PSV for the 2022-23 season.

Branthwaite moved to Goodison Park from Carlisle United, aged just 17, and made his Premier League debut against Wolves in July 2020.

The centre-back proved the unlikely hero against Chelsea the following season, scoring a header in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge to mark his first Premier League goal.

Branthwaite spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, before returning to make eight appearances in the most recent campaign, including four Premier League starts.

Frank Lampard’s side staved off Premier League relegation fears last season before bringing in James Tarkowski from Burnley this transfer window, further reducing the chances of first-team minutes for Branthwaite at Goodison Park.

The 20-year-old will likely get his first taste of Champions League action after being loaned to PSV, who qualified for the qualifying stages of Europe’s premier club competition after finishing second in Eredivisie.

Jarrad says hi #TheJarradWay

— PSV (@PSV) July 17, 2022

“Because Olivier Boscagli cannot play at least until the winter break, we wanted to add a quality left-footed central defender on a loan basis; Jarrad meets all those requirements,” PSV director of football affairs John de Jong said. 

“He is a player with a lot of height and he is physically strong. He has constructive qualities and is good at one-on-one situations. 

“It is an advantage that Marcel [Brands, PSV director of football] knows Jarrad well from his time at Everton. That’s why we knew it was possible to loan him for a season.”

Van Nistelrooy’s PSV open their Eredivisie campaign at home to newly promoted Emmen on August 6.