Everton and Crystal Palace have finalised a player exchange involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, with Everton confirming that 25-year-old Johnson has signed a four-year contract at the club and 26-year-old McNeil moving to Selhurst Park.
Everton and Crystal Palace complete swap deal involving McNeil and Johnson
Everton and Crystal Palace have finalised a player exchange involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, with Everton confirming that 25-year-old Johnson has signed a four-year contract at the club and 26-year-old McNeil moving to Selhurst Park.
McNeil had previously come close to joining Palace in February, when the two clubs agreed a loan-to-buy arrangement that would have converted into a £20 million permanent transfer in the summer. That deal did not proceed, reportedly because the required paperwork could not be completed before the transfer deadline, despite McNeil having passed a medical.
Following the collapse of that move, McNeil's partner Megan Sharpley made a social media post in which she accused Crystal Palace of toying with his mental health.
Wales winger Johnson had signed for Crystal Palace in a £35 million deal in January. He scored the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League final victory over Manchester United in May 2025 before his move to Palace. During his time at Selhurst Park, Johnson made 26 appearances across all competitions but did not score.
- The financial terms of the swap deal, including whether any cash adjustment accompanied the player exchange
- The length of McNeil's contract at Crystal Palace
- Whether either club made an official statement beyond Everton's confirmation of Johnson's signing
- The specific date on which the transfer was completed
- Johnson's and McNeil's own reactions or statements regarding the moves