Ring master
Player Valuation: £90m
Everton have completed the signing of highly-rated teenage Sweden international midfielder Hanna Bennison from FC Rosengard for a club-record fee.
Bennison, 18, joins the Blues for a substantial six-figure sum and has penned a four-year deal until June 2025.
Bennison has forged a reputation as one of the most exciting talents in world football.
A creative, dynamic midfield player with an eye for goal, Bennison made her senior Sweden debut just one month after her 17th birthday, excelling in a friendly international against world champions USA.
She has continued to feature regularly for her country and was part of the squad that won silver at the recent Olympic Games in Japan.
Earlier this year, Bennison received the prestigious Goal NXGN Award for the best young female footballer in the world.
Speaking to evertontv after becoming Everton’s ninth summer signing, Bennison said: “It feels amazing to be here. I’m still young, I need to learn a lot, and I think this is the perfect environment for me to grow.
“I like the league in England and we have a very good manager in Willie Kirk. I’ve spoken to him, and the way sees my game is the way see myself.
“I think Everton has something big happening – we have a really good squad with a lot of good players.
“I know the Club wants to play in the Champions League. That’s one of my goals, too, and I hope I can help the team reach that.”
Bennison was aged just 15 when she made her first senior appearance for Rosengard in the Swedish top-flight in April 2018.
She went on to play key role in the team’s title-winning campaign the following season – starting 16 of their 18 league matches – and her exceptional campaign was recognised with the league’s breakthrough talent award.
Bennison also helped Rosengard reach the quarter-finals of the 2020/21 Champions League, scoring two goals in the competition.
She is the Blues’ third Swedish international signing this summer following the additions of defender Nathalie Bjorn and attacker Anna Anvegard.
Manager Willie Kirk believes Bennison can elevate her game to new heights with Everton.
"Hanna was highly sought after and there was a lot of competition for her signature,” he said.
"I'm delighted the Club has backed my judgement, making sure we were in as strong a position as possible to be successful in her acquisition.
“She'll play a big part for us, not just this season, but in the long-term. She's at a fantastic level but there is still so much more to come, considering she's only 18.
"Moving away from home for the first time can be a big stress in a young player's life. We just need to make sure we support her and that she settles in. That will give her the platform to perform on the pitch.
"I think having [Sweden teammates] Anna and Nathalie here will help. That's great for us and for Hanna.”
Everton Sporting and Commercial Director Sarvar Ismailov added: “Hanna is one of the most exciting talents in football who has attracted interest from multiple Champions League clubs, but we are delighted she is in royal blue now.
“An Olympic medallist and a winner, she brings excitement to our squad, and I cannot wait to watch Hanna flourish at Everton.
“She has the abilities to be the best player in the world and we are here to help her achieve that.”
This is a massive Transfer for Hanna and a record breaker for someone so young from Sweden and we beat the Likes of Man City and Bayern to name just 2 who had deals agreed for Hanna, but she always wanted Everton, so that shows how well we have done to get her
