OXFORD United have signed Everton winger Stanley Mills on a season-long loan.
The move marks the first time that the 19-year-old, the son of former Leeds United and England right back Danny Mills, has left Goodison Park on a temporary deal.
The teenager, who joined Everton at the age of 14 from Leeds, signed his first professional contract with the Toffees in July 2021.
He was named on the bench by former boss Frank Lampard for Everton’s first Premier League game of last season, with the Blues falling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea on August 6.
Four days later, Mills penned a new three-year deal until the end of June 2025.
Mills, who will wear the number seven shirt, told the U’s club website: “A first loan is always a big move for someone my age, I’m thrilled to get this chance.
“I spoke to people in the game who all say that Oxford play decent football, which is going to suit the way I like to play.
“When I came down, spoke with the manager, saw the facilities, saw the pitch and the way the club is set up for the future, it all looks like a great fit for me. I can’t wait to get started.”
Head coach Liam Manning added: “The Everton academy has a fantastic record, not just for bringing players through to play for their first team but also for giving them a love and passion for the game.
“He is a very creative player and he knows how to channel that to fit in with the way the team want to play, and that’s exciting for us.
“We have now added seven players to the group, and we will keep working hard to bring in players of a really high calibre as we build towards the first game in 10 days’ time.”
During the 2022/23 campaign, he made two substitute appearances for the first team in the Carabao Cup – a 1-0 win at Fleetwood Town in the second round and 4-1 defeat away to Bournemouth in the third round.
Mills also played four times for Everton Under-21s in the EFL Trophy last season, bagging three goals.
One came in a 1-1 draw at Harrogate Town, while he netted a brace in a 6-0 victory away against Hartlepool United.
Mills becomes the seventh new signing at United this summer, following other loan moves for James Beadle and Fin Stevens, while Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran, Ruben Rodrigues and Mark Harris have joined on permanent deals.
U’s head of recruitment Ed Waldron said: “He is another player we have been monitoring for a while.
“Plenty of clubs were doing that so it’s great to get it over the line. He is quick, he stretches the game, and he reads the play really well for someone so young.
“It’s another good sign when a club like Everton send us such a promising young player, knowing we will nurture them and help them flourish in a successful team.”
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