In August 2009, Everton signed Distin from Portsmouth for a fee of about £5 million on a three-year contract.
He was given the number 15 shirt and made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Wigan Athletic.
On 17 September 2009 he scored his first goal for Everton in the UEFA Europa League against Greek team AEK Athens.
He scored his second goal for Everton in the UEFA Europa League on 16 February 2010 against Sporting CP to give Everton a 2–1 win.
Distin was later sent off resulting in Sporting's goal from the penalty spot after a poor touch following an equally poor Jack Rodwell pass.
Distin scored his first league goal for the club against Liverpool on 16 January 2011, heading in from a corner at the start of the second half.
During his 2011–12 season, Distin assisted goalkeeper Tim Howard's 100-yard goal, notable as only the fourth goal from a keeper in the history of the Premier League.

On 14 April 2012, he made a rare mistake in the FA Cup semi-final when a poor back pass gifted Luis Suárez the equalising goal for Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
Everton went on to lose the game 2–1, and Distin took to Twitter to apologise to the Everton fans.
However, he was named Everton's players' player of the year at the end of season awards ceremony, and then agreed a one-year contract extension to stay at the club for the 2012–13 season.

On 24 January 2013, Distin signed a new one-year contract with Everton, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2014.
On 23 February, he made his 400th Premier League appearance against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
A few weeks later he made his 402nd appearance – more than any other foreign outfield player.
Distin's centre back partnership with Phil Jagielka remained Everton's first choice through the 2013–14 season, despite the emergence of John Stones, with the club finishing fifth with their record Premier League points tally of 72.
He signed a new one-year contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2015.
In August 2009, Everton signed Distin from Portsmouth for a fee of about £5 million on a three-year contract. He was given the number 15 shirt and made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Wigan Athletic. On 17 September 2009 he scored his first goal for Everton in the UEFA Europa League against Greek team AEK Athens. He scored his second goal for Everton in the UEFA Europa League on 16 February 2010 against Sporting CP to give Everton a 2–1 win. Distin was later sent off resulting in Sporting's goal from the penalty spot after a poor touch following an equally poor Jack Rodwell pass. Distin scored his first league goal for the club against Liverpool on 16 January 2011, heading in from a corner at the start of the second half. During his 2011–12 season, Distin assisted goalkeeper Tim Howard's 100-yard goal, notable as only the fourth goal from a keeper in the history of the Premier League.
On 14 April 2012, he made a rare mistake in the FA Cup semi-final when a poor back pass gifted Luis Suárez the equalising goal for Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Everton went on to lose the game 2–1, and Distin took to Twitter to apologise to the Everton fans. However, he was named Everton's players' player of the year at the end of season awards ceremony, and then agreed a one-year contract extension to stay at the club for the 2012–13 season.
On 24 January 2013, Distin signed a new one-year contract with Everton, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2014. On 23 February, he made his 400th Premier League appearance against Norwich City at Carrow Road. A few weeks later he made his 402nd appearance – more than any other foreign outfield player. Distin's centre back partnership with Phil Jagielka remained Everton's first choice through the 2013–14 season, despite the emergence of John Stones, with the club finishing fifth with their record Premier League points tally of 72. He signed a new one-year contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2015.
Sylvain Distin