Danny Mills has backed Nathan Patterson to succeed Seamus Coleman in Everton’s starting line-up.
Patterson joined the Toffees last week in a deal worth £16m from Scottish champions Rangers.
The 20-year-old right back put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year deal and is seen as the natural heir to Blues skipper Coleman.
The veteran Irishman has clocked up over 350 appearances for the club since joining Everton in 2009.
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And Patterson revealed to the Toffees' YouTube channel that he was excited at the prospect of working with and learning from Coleman.
Former England international Mills has claimed that at the age of 33, now may be the right time to gradually phase Coleman out of the starting XI.
“I think it’s a good deal for both," he told Football Insider .
“By all accounts, he’s a very good player. Both parties will be relatively happy with the business that’s been done.
“Everton are getting in a young player. Obviously, Seamus Coleman is not going to go on forever. What happens to him after a couple of seasons?
“It’s a great opportunity for Patterson to come in and learn, to be involved. It’s good business for both.”
Patterson is a product of Rangers’ academy and in total made 27 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring twice.
The Scotland international could make his debut for Everton on Tuesday when they welcome Leicester City to Goodison Park.
