Deal at a glance
Everton waited until the final hours of the winter window to secure a proven Premier League finisher. The club completed the signing of Joshua King from Bournemouth late on February 1, 2021, agreeing a short-term deal through the end of the 2020–21 season with an option to extend. The fee is described as nominal, reflecting the striker’s contract situation and Bournemouth’s need to reshape quickly for a Championship promotion push.
Carlo Ancelotti wanted another forward for the run-in, and King ticked the boxes: top-flight experience, flexibility across the front line, and a track record of scoring in high-pressure games. Everton were seventh at the time of the deal on 33 points, level with Chelsea and Tottenham, and the club has been clear about aiming for European qualification.
- Contract: Short-term to June 2021, with an option to extend
- Fee: Undisclosed, described as nominal
- Age at signing: 29
- Debut: Came on in the 87th minute in a 2–1 win at Leeds on Feb. 3
King brings a significant Premier League ledger. He scored 53 goals in 184 appearances for Bournemouth after joining from Blackburn Rovers ahead of the Cherries’ first season in the top flight in 2015–16. His best spell came in 2016–17, when he hit 16 league goals and established himself as a reliable penalty taker and a threat on the counter. For Norway, he has 17 goals in 51 caps, usually leading the line or operating off a central striker.
The move suits all sides. Everton get a versatile forward who can play centrally or drift to the left, attack space behind defenders, and press from the front. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin shouldering most of the scoring and Richarlison alternating between the flank and the middle, King offers cover and the option to change shape mid-game without burning multiple substitutions. He’s also a natural fit for quick transitions when James Rodríguez drops off to create.
There is a practical angle too. The pandemic has squeezed budgets, and short-term deals reduce risk. King’s contract at Bournemouth was winding down, so Everton avoided a long commitment while giving the player a platform to earn a longer stay. If he hits the ground running, the option to extend is ready. If not, the club’s exposure is limited.
Everton’s January business shows a clear pattern. Cenk Tosun left on loan to Besiktas, freeing minutes at center-forward. Young winger Anthony Gordon also headed out on loan for regular football, creating space for a senior attacker who can step straight in. King checks those boxes and arrives match-ready from the Championship, where Bournemouth remained in the promotion places.
From Bournemouth’s point of view, timing mattered. Relegated last season, they have stayed in touch with the playoff pack and needed to balance the books while keeping firepower up front. They moved quickly to bring in Southampton’s Shane Long on loan to cover King’s departure. With Dominic Solanke leading the line and Junior Stanislas contributing, Long adds Premier League know-how and energy for the stretch run.
This is a player Everton have monitored before. King came close to a high-profile move when Manchester United explored a late deal in January 2020. That transfer didn’t happen, but the episode underlined how clubs value his mix of pace, hold-up play, and penalty-box instincts. He’s comfortable receiving to feet, spinning into channels, and working across the front to open space for runners—traits that align with Ancelotti’s preference for fluid, interchangeable attacks.
Administrative hurdles were straightforward. With years of Premier League service and regular international appearances, King qualified for a governing body endorsement under the post-Brexit points-based system. The paperwork was wrapped quickly enough for him to be available at Elland Road two days after signing.
His debut was brief but telling. Ancelotti introduced King late to help see out a tricky away win at Leeds, a team that pushes the tempo and forces defenders and forwards alike to cover ground. Everton had built their lead through Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and King’s job was to stretch the game, press high, and give the defense an outlet for clearances under pressure. It was a small window, but it showed the kind of role he can fill when the team needs fresh legs and direct running.
Beyond the headline numbers, King’s value sits in the marginal gains that decide tight matches. He’s strong in duels, can win fouls around the box, and is comfortable making unselfish off-ball runs that free up Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. In matches where Everton face a low block, he can also tuck in off the left to combine with Rodríguez and Lucas Digne, offering another crossing target or a late runner for cut-backs.
Discipline on both sides of the ball is part of the appeal. King’s work rate without possession fits the way Everton have evolved under Ancelotti—compact, organized, and ready to break fast. When the team drops into a mid-block, he can screen passes into midfield and then explode forward on turnovers. That flexibility lets Ancelotti switch between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2 without a full reshuffle.
For Bournemouth, the reset is clear. They remain firmly in the playoff mix and now have a forward line that blends Solanke’s hold-up play with Long’s movement and pressing. The club has also leaned on the creativity of David Brooks and the set-piece threat from the back. In the Championship’s 46-game grind, fresh legs and depth matter, and turning King’s expiring contract into funds while adding a veteran loanee is sensible business.
What comes next
Everton’s calendar is the real driver of this move. The league schedule is tight, matches come every few days, and Ancelotti needs options to manage minutes without losing intensity. King will likely rotate with Calvert-Lewin through the middle or share the line in a two when the game demands more direct running. He can also be that early second-half change when Everton chase a goal and need a different angle of attack.
The expectations are simple: contribute right away, help turn draws into wins, and give Ancelotti a reliable Plan B. King’s experience—over 180 Premier League matches—means he understands the rhythms of this league, when to gamble on a run, when to hold the ball, and when to reset play. Even if he doesn’t start every week, 25–30 impactful minutes off the bench can swing a European race that looks crowded and unforgiving.
For King himself, the move is a chance to reset at the highest level after Bournemouth’s relegation. A strong half-season at Goodison Park could earn a longer stay or open other top-flight options in the summer. The motivation is built in. For Everton, the calculation is straightforward: a minimal fee for a forward who knows the league and fills multiple roles. That’s the template for a smart deadline-day addition.
It’s a tidy piece of business all around. Everton find depth without overcommitting in a volatile market. Bournemouth bank value before an expiring deal and bring in a hard-running replacement. And the player steps back onto the Premier League stage with meaningful games ahead. The final hours of the window rarely feel calm; this one, at least, made clear footballing sense.
