The Everton attacker has commented on The Friedkin Group’s takeover and his excitement about moving into the new stadium next season.
Everton star Dwight McNeil says he is more excited for the club’s stadium move than The Friedkin Group’s [TFG] takeover. The new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock is taking shape with several organisations already bidding for naming rights of the 52,888-seater arena.
TFG, led by billionaire Roma owner Dan Friedkin, has already pledged to ensure the completion of the stadium financially – even before the purchase of Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake has been ratified by the Premier League. The arrival of the new owners could be made official before the end of the year.
McNeil is relishing next season’s stadium relocation and the chance to begin a new era in Everton’s history. The 24-year-old acknowledged the tough call to break with the past at Goodison Park, home of 131 years, but sees the move as a great opportunity for the club.
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“The takeover talk has been there for a while but the big one for me is the new stadium next season, which is going to be amazing,” he told club media. “I know the fans will be sad to leave Goodison because of all of the history it’s got.
“But it’s a new chapter for the club and for everyone involved in it. It’s going to be an amazing stadium and hopefully we can write more history and create new amazing memories there.”
McNeil’s brace in Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace means he is currently Everton’s top scorer this season with three goals. The winger has made continual developments since his £20million arrival in 2022 and has become a flagship player under former Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
Improved form will naturally stir up transfer rumours given last season’s points deductions, although Everton feel they are in a strong financial position within the market and do not envisage any further major issues with spending regulations going forward. And McNeil has made his thoughts on Everton very clear.
“I love playing for Everton,” he added. “Make no mistake, this is a massive club – and that’s why I wanted to join in the first place. Playing against them, I got a sense for that and it was always horrible as an opposition player but you could see what it was about!
“Who wouldn’t want to play for a massive club like this? There’s a lot of pressure playing here but I enjoy that. I just want to improve myself, get even better and help the team more and more.
“As we know, in football anything can happen and, unfortunately, in the past few years, things have happened to us – most recently out of our control as players – but I would never change my decision if I could turn back time, even knowing how things have unfolded.
“I’m really enjoying my time here and I’m definitely confident the best is yet to come.”