Dwight McNeil: His career so far in pictures

Club

4 hours ago

He was first a Claret, then a Toffee – and now, Dwight McNeil is an Eagle!

The Rochdale-born winger has become Palace's third arrival of the summer transfer window – following that of Óscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu – as the Eagles' squad begins to take shape ahead of a second European campaign.

A proven Premier League performer, McNeil's career has already seen him star on the continental stage, as well as internationally for England at youth level.

Let's take a look at the newest Eagle's career so far – in pictures...

1. Debut day

A graduate of Burnley's academy – following a previous spell at that of Manchester United – McNeil made his first-team debut on the final day of the 2017/18 season at Turf Moor, replacing Aaron Lennon as a late substitute.

2. Straight into it

The teenage McNeil began to see more regular action the following pre-season, and made his first senior start in a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Turf Moor.

3. Festive delight

By Christmas time, he had become a regular fixture in Sean Dyche's Burnley side.

His first goal came on his second start: a 2-0 home win over West Ham United in the Clarets' final match of 2018.

4. Creative force

McNeil then went on to record back-to-back assists in his next two matches – wins away at Huddersfield and at home to Fulham.

His form saw him start all but one remaining game that season, as the Clarets retained their Premier League status with a 15th-place finish.

5. European veteran

That season, McNeil also featured twice for Burnley in Europe – but despite overcoming Aberdeen and Istanbul Basaksehir, the Clarets went out in the qualifying rounds to Olympiakos.

He finished his first full senior campaign with three goals and five assists in all competitions.

6. Mr Consistency

McNeil subsequently started all 38 games for Burnley in the 2019/20 season, scoring twice and creating six more goals.

In the 2020/21, he followed that up with two goals and five assists – strong returns in a team tipped by many to go down.

7. McNeil the Lion

His form at Turf Moor made him a regular pick for England's Under-21s team, for whom he won 10 caps, and played at the 2021 U21s European Championship Finals in Hungary and Slovenia.

8. Merseyside magician

Following Burnley's relegation from the Premier League, McNeil joined Everton in the summer of 2022.

The winger continued to create regularly on Merseyside, with 15 goals and 19 assists in 128 games in all competitions – winning the Toffees' Young Player of the Season award in his debut campaign.

9. A taste of things to come?

The second of those goals, of course, came against Crystal Palace in October 2022...

10. Matchwinner

... and a year later, McNeil produce a brilliant brace to turn things around against the Eagles in Palace's last-ever visit to Goodison Park.

Now, he'll be looking to create more sensational memories – this time, in Crystal Palace colours.

Welcome to South London, Dwight!

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