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After spending up to £54 million a couple of weeks ago on signing Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen to five-year deals, Everton finally put a bow on the steal of the summer.
Today they announced the arrival of striker Sandro Ramirez from Malaga for the paltry sum of £5.2m, thanks to a very low release clause placed on the player when he transferred from Barcelona last season.
The forward was at USM Finch Farm two weeks ago before joining up with the Spain youth squad at the Under-21 European Championship in Poland. Another new signing, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, is also at the tournament.
| It's that time again... pic.twitter.com/DlrGSc2MJW
— Everton (@Everton) July 3, 2017
In an interview with the club’s official site after inking the new contract, Sandro said -
I’m very happy, this is a big step in my career. I know I’m signing for a massive club in England. Everton is the ideal place for me, I’ve got the ideal manager who is going to keep giving me the confidence to improve my game.
Everton have made some big signings and we’re hoping we can put in a great season and hopefully then we can achieve that aim of getting in the Champions League. It will be a big season for us.... We’ve got a fantastic squad and I’m excited about being able to compete at Everton and win plenty of silverware.
The biggest attraction is the confidence already shown in me by people at the Club. I’m really excited at having the chance to work with the manager, Ronald Koeman. He has shown a lot of faith in me and was very influential in my decision to come here, as were other people at the Club – especially the Chairman, Bill Kenwright, and Steve Walsh.
The 21 year old Spaniard scored 14 goals and assisted on 5 others in La Liga this season, and leading the line for Spain at the U21 Euros along with Gerard Deulofeu, who could be leaving the Toffees to go back to Barca.
In addition to being clinical in front of goal, Ramirez possesses a rocket shot from direct free kicks, something that Everton have been sorely lacking in recent years.
A concern in the build-up to his signing was a perceived line in his contract that would allow him to leave after one year, but earlier today it was cleared up that there was no such clause.
No release clause in Sandro Ramirez Everton contract. Deal will get done.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) June 27, 2017
Speaking about his new player, manager Ronald Koeman said -
“There was a lot of interest in Sandro because, of course, he’s a goalscorer, he’s young and he has a big future in the game.
“We have been trying to bring in good players so we can have greater productivity in the team and he will bring that. He will bring a lot of good qualities and he’s a really good goalscorer, too.”
| "I bring a lot of youthful enthusiasm. My key strength is goalscoring.”
— Everton (@Everton) July 3, 2017
Exclusive @sandroramirez9 interview https://t.co/18k58yzzLv pic.twitter.com/CBDzNed6FT