Arnaut Danjuma has become Everton’s second summer signing, joining the Club on a season-long loan from Villarreal.
The 26-year-old forward follows the arrival of Ashley Young earlier this month and adds attacking versatility and top-level experience to Sean Dyche’s squad.
A Netherlands international, Danjuma - who will wear the number 10 shirt at Everton - can play in a variety of attacking positions, including as a central striker where he often started for Villarreal.
Top scorer for the Spanish side on their run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2021/22, Danjuma also has Premier League experience after spells at AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur, having previously played in Holland and Belgium.
Close to joining the Blues in January, Danjuma spoke of how Evertonians’ passion and manager Sean Dyche were key reasons behind him wanting to move to Merseyside this summer.
“It’s amazing to join Everton and I’m really happy to be here,” he told evertontv. “It’s been a long time coming to join such a massive club as Everton and it makes me proud.
“I had interest from other clubs but there was a pull towards Everton because of the fans, the manager and the history of the Club and it’s second time lucky for me.
“I know I did not move to the Club in January, that was because there was some uncertainty over the manager situation at that time, but I think it makes it even more beautiful for me to join now. I am very grateful to be at the Club and I can’t wait to play in front of the fans as well.
“I hope to bring a lot of goals and a lot of assists. The manager has clearly improved the team and there is a process ahead with him in charge that I am very excited to be a part of.
“I am very eager to perform and very determined to contribute to the entire club. There’s no vein in my body that doubts my quality, and I’m very determined to now show that for the Evertonians.”
Danjuma was in the Tottenham matchday squad in April and watched from the touchline as Michael Keane rocketed in a stunning last-gasp equaliser to secure a precious point and send Goodison Park wild.
The forward admitted the passion he witnessed from Evertonians’ that night made him even more excited to have them behind him this season.
He added: “It is difficult to explain in words how much they impressed me. I have heard a lot about the stadium and the fans but you can only ever experience it.
“Specifically for that [Keane] goal, I was warming up down the touchline and it literally felt like 40,000 people were screaming in my ear. It makes you more keen to play for a club with a fanbase that is so involved and so excited to cheer on their players.
“It’s why I am proud and very eager to get started; to finally feel that on my side as well.
“I’m very eager to be a part of it, and to make sure I can contribute to winning games, as well as contributing to the way we play.”
