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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 1, 2020 15:21:39 GMT
Everton have signed Spanish international midfielder Damaris Egurrola on a two-year deal following the expiration of her contract with Athletic Bilbao. Egurrola, who celebrated her 21st birthday last Wednesday, becomes the Blues’ seventh acquisition of the summer and joins Everton after eight years at Bilbao. Having joined the Basque club’s academy in 2012, Egurrola progressed through the ranks and made her senior debut as a 16-year-old in December 2015. She would go on to make six first-team appearances in 2015/16 as Bilbao won the Primera Division for the fifth time. A dynamic central midfielder, Egurrola established herself as an important player for Bilbao and played 20 matches in the shortened 2019/20 campaign, scoring two goals. Everton manager Willie Kirk said: "When the chance to sign Damaris was presented to me, it was an opportunity we simply couldn’t turn down. It's another big signing for us and another sign of our ambition and intent. "She is already at a very good level, shown by the fact she has been capped for the Spanish senior team at a young age, and her potential simply has no ceiling. "She can be a world-class midfielder in the future and I’m excited to help her realise that potential. "Damaris is very ambitious and is going to fit perfectly with the group of players we have assembled. "She adds a nice balance to an already very talented midfield and gives us good options with her attributes and flexibility. "Damaris is currently in quarantine and so by the time she joins the group she’ll be a bit behind everyone else, having missed all of our pre-season, but we’ll work with her over the coming weeks, and Everton fans will see her in action as soon as possible." Florida-born Egurrola emigrated with her family to Spain aged seven. She has featured for the Spanish national team at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-20 level before making her senior debut against Cameroon in May 2019. Egurrola was part of the Spain team that won the 2017 Under-19s European Championships in Northern Ireland, scoring in a thrilling 3-2 final victory over France.
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Post by Avinalaff on Sept 1, 2020 22:13:22 GMT
Good signing hopefully.
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Post by Everton News. on Sept 22, 2020 18:55:43 GMT
Spain international midfielder Damaris Egurrola says she hopes to bring further class and composure to Everton, as she set her sights on a dream debut in the Blues’ FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday (1pm).
Egurrola completed her move to the Toffees at the beginning of September, having previously been with Spanish top-flight side Athletic Bilbao.
Upon arriving on Merseyside, she spent two weeks in quarantine in line with Government guidance regarding people travelling to the UK from Spain.
The 21-year-old admits that initial period was “quite tough” but is feeling more comfortable with each training session at USM Finch Farm.
Egurrola was on the bench as Everton made it two WSL victories from two with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out and is hoping to see action in the Blues’ rescheduled last-eight FA Cup showdown with Chelsea at Goodison.
The match will be streamed live for digital members on evertonfc.com.
Egurrola said: "To play in a great stadium like Goodison Park against Chelsea, it would be the best place anybody could wish to have a debut.
“I will have to work hard in training this week and let’s see what happens.
“It is nice to now feel confident with my play.
“When I first came to USM Finch Farm, I'd had quite a long period without training. It was quite tough – there was quarantine in Spain and then, over here, quarantine again.
"But now I’m feeling good.
“As soon as I came, I could see the training sessions are really intense, and you can see how we transfer that to matches.
“I have noticed the team is really confident with their game and plays with a lot of intensity.
“The results have been very good and it’s a great place to be.”
Everton boss Willie Kirk spoke in glowing terms of Egurrola after making her his seventh signing of the summer, declaring she has the potential to become “a world-class midfielder”.
Egurrola made her debut for previous club Athletic Bilbao aged 16 and was part of the squad that won the Primera Division title in 2015/16.
She has featured for Spain at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-20 level and made her senior international bow against Cameroon in May 2019.
Egurrola recognises a period of adjustment may be required before she hits her optimum level for Everton – but outlined the qualities she hopes to bring to the Blues’ talented squad.
“I’m not really a physical player but I think I think I can bring some calmness in the midfield,” she said.
“It is sometimes needed as a defensive midfielder.
“I have been watching many WSL matches and sometimes they get a little bit crazy in transitions!
“I will try to bring that calmness to my team. It is also nice for me to have this challenge to play in such a physical league.
“I hope to adapt my game to this team as soon as possible and enjoy playing, as I try to do always.
“I always wanted to go abroad to play.
“I am now just enjoying the experience and trying to give my best to this club.”
Egurrola says Everton’s ambition to compete with the top sides in the WSL was central to her decision to join the Club.
And having now witnessed the depth of talent within Everton’s ranks at close quarters, she is convinced the Blues are on the right path.
“Everton really wanted me here,” she added.
“I think it’s really important when the technical staff and a club like Everton want you.
“I had many conversations with Willie and he really convinced me to come.
“My decision was quite easy. I thought it was a great project.
“We have a good team with many international players. I think we can have a good season.
“The goal is to get into the top-three in the WSL and get into the Champions League. We’re going to fight for that.”
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 20, 2021 20:14:53 GMT
Everton midfielder Damaris Egurrola has completed a six-figure transfer to European champions Lyon.
Spain international Egurrola joined Everton back in September following the expiry of her contract with Athletic Bilbao.
Everton Women Sporting and Commercial Director, Sarvar Ismailov, conceded the Club could not deny Egurrola the opportunity to sign for the continent’s pre-eminent team.
French club Lyon have exerted a sustained stranglehold over European football and won the past five editions of the Champions League.
“It is important we make it clear that the only reason we are letting Damaris go is because we want her to fulfil her dream,” Ismailov told evertonfc.com.
“We had to look at the situation from a player’s perspective: when Lyon call you, you don’t turn it down.
“Sanctioning the transfer wasn’t financially driven on our part. We turned down three previous offers from Lyon but, ultimately, I couldn’t take that opportunity away from Damaris and her family.
“Lyon must have seen something special in her and I believe we managed to get the right deal to compensate for the loss of an excellent player.”
The accomplished Egurrola played in Everton’s FA Cup final defeat by Manchester City in November.
She helped Wille Kirk’s team to a bright start in the Women’s Super League, with Everton sitting fifth ahead of a visit from Bristol City on Sunday.
“The day I saw footage of Damaris back in summer I fell in love with her game and, to be honest, signed her that same evening, without thinking twice,” continued Ismailov.
“I always tell her she is [Manchester City midfielder] Rodri in the women’s game.
“It’s an amazing story, to be honest, six months ago she was without a club and now she is signing for Lyon.
“We wish Damaris all the very best for her future.”
Everton FC
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