Jack Grealish adds DJing to his pursuits after 'one of the most difficult years' of his career

Jack Grealish, the England midfielder who joined Everton on loan from Manchester City earlier this year, has taken up DJing and says he has completed about eight to ten lessons as he seeks a fresh start after what he described as "one of the most difficult years" of his life.

Performing under the name DJ Grealo, Grealish told reporters he has had "about eight to ten lessons" lasting roughly an hour or two each and invited bookings, saying, "If anyone wants me for hire, give me a shout. I can DJ, swear down." He turned 30 this week.

Greelish spent much of the summer in Ibiza and has been pictured socialising with names from the music world, including DJ Calvin Harris and Australian producer Sonny Fodera. He has previously performed in a virtual setting as part of Manchester City's partnership with Web3 platform OKX, appearing alongside Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens, who has reportedly coached him for several months.

The move into music comes amid a difficult spell for Grealish on the pitch. Signed by Manchester City from Aston Villa for a British-record fee reported at £100 million in 2021, he struggled for regular first-team minutes last season and began the current campaign on loan at Everton. Grealish said the year had been hard both "on and off the pitch," but added: "It's a new year, a sort of fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on from here."

Off the field, Grealish's public profile has long included a social life that attracts attention. He welcomed a daughter, Mila, with long-term partner Sasha Attwood nearly a year ago and has called her birth "the most special moment of my life." He has also been a regular at Ibiza venues such as Ocean Beach, where owner Wayne Lineker jokingly suggested a four-week loan for the player at his beach club after Grealish was not selected for England's Euro 2024 squad.

Greelish's breakthrough at Aston Villa drew comparisons to high-profile predecessors, but his career has also been marked by incidents that generated media scrutiny. Early reports included allegations of drug use and footage that appeared to show him heavily intoxicated on a night out; in 2022 footage circulated of Grealish and former teammates being denied entry to a Manchester bar amid concerns about his level of intoxication.

The midfielder said he found last year difficult in part because of the combination of becoming a father and challenges in his playing career. His public comments indicate he is trying to balance family life and his footballing ambitions while exploring new interests outside the sport.

Club officials have not commented publicly on Grealish's DJing, and his immediate footballing focus will remain with Everton as the season progresses. For now, Grealish has signalled he will continue pursuing opportunities both on the decks and on the pitch as he seeks to re-establish his form and consistency.