OPINIONJarrad Branthwaite can fulfil twin Everton ambition at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite celebrates his 23rd birthday today with Blues boss David Moyes looking to build his team around him

So, Jarrad Branthwaite has made it into Everton’s new stadium, wearing the new 2025/26 home shirt. Along with team-mates Iliman Ndiaye, who shared his aspiration when he signed to become the first goalscorer at Everton’s future home (he’s already written himself into the records books by netting the last two in men’s first team football at Goodison Park); James Garner; Tim Iroegbunam and Jake O’Brien, Branthwaite was one of David Moyes’ stars posing at the launch of next season’s kit.

But will he still be sporting the club’s colours come their first competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, August 23, and more importantly, come September once the summer transfer window has closed?

Branthwaite celebrates his 23rd birthday today, which is the same age as another left-sided Everton centre-back Kevin Ratcliffe when he held aloft the FA Cup in 1984, the first of four major trophies he lifted as the club’s most successful captain