Everton have confirmed the arrival of 25-year-old winger Demarai Gray from Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent basis.
Rafa Benitez has been busy already in the transfer window and sealed free transfers for both goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and winger Andros Townsend around the same time as the original contract for Gray was revealed.
Welcome, @ 22Demarai! ? pic.twitter.com/6hqGQHmPyp
– Everton (@Everton) July 22, 2021
This one has taken a little longer to get over the line, but Everton took to their official website to confirm that Gray has finally put paper on paper on a three-year contract at Goodison Park, with the possibility of a fourth season.
The fee is not mentioned, but previous reports claimed that Everton have agreed to share about 1.6 million pounds to get Gray in.
“I’m happy to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m happy to play with the team and get to work,” said Gray, who has received the 11th dividend. [Director of Football] Marcel Brands, I had a really good feeling for the club and I feel that this is a place where I can continue to develop.
“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won before, is important and we will look ahead and compete with the top clubs. I think a club of this size has all the potential to be up there.
“Together with what Marcel and the manager have said to me, everything fits, including the club’s ambitions and goals. Everton is a very big club and the main goal is to shoot and compete up there in the table. I want to work hard on the training field and work my hardest for the club on the field. ”
Gray was a sideline for Leicester City’s side who won the Premier League title in 2016 but struggled to establish themselves at King Power Stadium before leaving for Leverkusen in January 2021.
12 appearances later, Gray is back in England and determined to take advantage of his second chance in the Premier League.
“I want to continue, be a crucial player in the squad, help the team score goals and help goals,” he added. “I feel that I am in a period in my career now where I can put everything together and achieve the goals I have set.
# ️⃣1️⃣1️⃣ @ 22demarai? pic.twitter.com/nVfgKmoN8U
– Everton (@Everton) July 22, 2021
“Personally, I just want to help this team succeed, win matches and be up there in the table and enjoy my football.
“I am a fast, tricky winger who likes to run with the ball. I like to play anywhere along the top three and I feel like I can be dangerous in any area. And with the ability I know I have and the belief in myself, I can help this team. ”
