c18 - Everton
On the final day of the summer transfer window, Manchester United officially announced the signing of England's rising star, Wayne Rooney, for a transfer fee of £26 million.
The news sent shockwaves through European football, akin to a bombshell detonating in the transfer market. The reaction was one of sheer disbelief.
Rooney had undeniably demonstrated his immense talent, but at just 18 years old, such an astronomical price tag was unprecedented. Many established stars were still developing in youth academies at his age, yet here was Rooney, valued at £26 million. The football world had officially gone mad.
Converted to euros, the transfer fee exceeded €40 million, making it one of the top ten most expensive transfers in world football at the time.
While the media frenzy fixated on Rooney, Manchester United quietly released another announcement on their official website: Jamie Vardy, a member of Manchester United's U18 squad, had joined Everton on a two-season loan.
Vardy knew his place. He wasn't a household name; he was just another young player trying to make his mark. His move wouldn't grab headlines or fuel debates among pundits. But that was fine—he didn't need the spotlight yet. He had grand ambitions, but he also understood that he wasn't ready for stardom. Not yet.
The loan agreement was handled entirely between the two clubs, meaning Vardy had no real say in the matter. Everton would cover his wages during his time at Goodison Park.
Yet, of all the possible destinations, Vardy was surprised that Everton was the club to take him. He had mentally prepared himself for a stint in the Championship or even League One. But Everton? That was unexpected.
Even though the Toffees had narrowly escaped relegation last season, Vardy, with his knowledge of the future, knew that Everton was about to shock the world. By the end of the season, they would finish fourth in the Premier League, ahead of arch-rivals Liverpool, and qualify for the Champions League.
A mid-table side suddenly competing at Europe's highest level? Vardy couldn't have asked for a better platform.
With his farewells said—to his U18 teammates, to Langley, and to the Smiths—Vardy set off on a new journey.
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Thanks to Manchester United's negotiation team, Everton had arranged housing for him near the club's Bellefield Training Ground, free of charge. That alone saved him around £500 per month—a significant amount for a young player.
Of course, it wasn't a luxurious mansion. Just a simple bungalow with a small courtyard. But the quiet surroundings made it a great place to focus.
The training ground was roughly two kilometers away, meaning Vardy could either cycle or jog there every morning. Low-carbon, environmentally friendly—and completely unlike his new teammates, who preferred to arrive in their high-end sports cars.
That night, lying in bed, Vardy reminisced about Everton's history and its players.
One name stood out: Li Tie, the Chinese midfielder who had made waves in the Premier League.
Then there was Tim Cahill, the Australian dynamo who later played in the Chinese Super League. Cahill was famous for his boxing celebrations at the corner flag after scoring.
Everton's midfield also boasted Thomas Gravesen, the bald Danish enforcer who would go on to sign for Real Madrid. With his aggressive style and intimidating presence, he looked more like a Viking raider than a footballer.
And, of course, there was David Moyes—Everton's manager, and a man who would eventually take over at Manchester United… only to be sacked within a season.
Still, for now, Moyes was leading an underdog team poised to punch above its weight. Vardy was determined to be part of that success.
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Everton hadn't started the season well. In the opening fixture, they faced the mighty Arsenal, who utterly demolished them.
But they bounced back in the second round with a crucial away win against Crystal Palace. Avoiding an early-season slump in the relegation zone was vital.
Now, the question lingered in Vardy's mind: When would he get his chance?
Moyes favored a 4-4-2 formation, meaning there were two spots up front. But unless Everton faced a top-six side, Moyes rarely altered that setup.
The problem? Competition for places was fierce.
Everton had five strikers in the squad:
Duncan Ferguson – The 33-year-old veteran was a towering target man. Though his goal-scoring form wasn't outstanding, he remained a crucial part of Everton's attack, particularly in Moyes' system.
Marcus Bent – A well-rounded striker with pace and decent finishing. His versatility made him a regular starter.
Kevin Campbell – Another experienced forward, though his best years were behind him.
James McFadden – A talented but inconsistent forward, still adjusting to life in the Premier League.
Nick Chadwick – A young striker struggling for game time, often left out of matchday squads.
Vardy had assumed he would be behind all of them in the pecking order.
What he didn't know was that Moyes had already planned for him to leapfrog McFadden and Chadwick in the selection hierarchy.
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The next morning, Vardy cycled to training. As he pedaled through the streets, a sleek luxury car zoomed past him—one of his new teammates, no doubt.
He chuckled to himself. Maybe it was time to find a ride. Until he had enough money to buy his own car, perhaps he could hitch a lift with a teammate.
At least he had his driver's license. The moment he turned 17, he had applied and passed the test. Now, he just needed a vehicle.
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Upon arriving at the training ground, Vardy didn't encounter any issues at the security gate. Unlike at some clubs, where new players were often mistaken for fans or staff, an assistant coach was already waiting for him.
Without delay, he was led to Moyes' office for his first meeting with the boss.
This was the first time Vardy had seen Moyes in person. There was some curiosity, but having watched countless press conferences in his previous life, he wasn't exactly starstruck.
Moyes, surprisingly upbeat after the win over Crystal Palace, greeted him warmly.
"Welcome to Everton, lad. I've seen what you can do. I hope your first professional season leaves you with great memories—just like Rooney's."
The mere mention of Rooney surprised Vardy. Moyes had been reluctant to talk about his departure.
Vardy responded politely. "I hope so too, sir."
Moyes nodded, satisfied.
"You might not get minutes straight away, but keep your head down and work hard. Opportunities come to those who are ready."
It wasn't the most memorable first conversation, but Vardy knew better than to underestimate Moyes.
After all, despite his later struggles, Moyes would soon guide this Everton team to the Champions League.
For Vardy, this was just the beginning.