Jake Bidwell, a product of Everton's youth academy, has left the club to join Brentford following a successful loan spell.
The defender joined Everton aged 11 and worked his way through the youth teams but made just one senior appearance in a UEFA Europa League tie against BATE Borisov in 2009.
He was loaned to Brentford last season and impressed as they had a strong campaign, and manager Uwe Rosler has moved quickly to sign the 20-year-old on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The defender made 50 appearances last season as Brentford reached the play-off final where they lost to Yeovil Town.
That was his second loan spell at the club after he also spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Griffin Park.
The youngster is a former England youth international and was named in the provisional Under-20 FIFA World Cup squad under Peter Taylor this year.
Rosler will be hoping the defender can continue his solid start at the club and begin to show the leadership skills he has previously displayed at Everton, where he captained the Under-18 side that won the FA Premier Academy League in 2011.
Brentford's Sporting Director, Mark Warburton, was delighted to clinch the signing of Bidwell and predicted a bright future for both him and the club in the coming season.
"We are absolutely delighted to see a young player of Jake's talent and ability commit his long-term future to the club," he told the club's official website.
"Over the last two seasons, Jake has delivered a consistently high level of performance and his desire and determination to give everything to the cause has been clear for all to see.
"For Brentford Football Club it is vital that we secure the quality of player that will give us very real opportunity to achieve our long term goals.
"With Jake committing in this way, it is another very positive step forwards and we look forward to watching his continued progress in the seasons ahead."
