CONFIRMED: Everton sign winger Josh Bowler from QPR

It had been rumored for nearly two weeks. On Friday, Everton made the signing of 18-year-old winger Josh Bowler from Queens Park Rangers official. It is a three-year pact that will see the Toffees pay QPR £1.5 million for now, with potential that the transfer fee reaches £4.25 million, according to Sky Sports.

The amount that Everton are paying for Bowler seems like an awful lot for a youngster who just signed his first professional contract in February. He made his debut with QPR on the final day of the team’s season in the Championship, playing 21 minutes as a substitute in a 4-0 loss to Norwich City.

It’s tough to find much information on the teenager online. He won’t turn 19 until March. Going based off of Wikipedia, Bowler began his youth career with Fulham before moving to QPR in 2013 as a 14-year-old. TransferMarkt tells us that he plays on both wings, but prefers the right side of the pitch. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshBowler10.

Truth be told, we don’t know much beyond that on this player. Bowler is just the latest in a long line of additions to David Unsworth’s U23 Everton squad that hopes to defend its PL2 title.

It is unlikely that he sees much time, if any, with the first team this season, but it is clear that Farhad Moshiri, Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh are deeply dedicated to improving the young ranks at Goodison Park. It’s a good sign and something we expect to see continue.