Silva: Everton have completed a key priority of the summer

After watching a number of toothless performances in front of goal last season en route to an 8th place finish, Marco Silva had upped the requirement for a striker to high up on his summer shopping list.

So it was a matter of some consternation for the fans that Everton entered the preseason with the same striking depth as last season - Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Cenk Tosun and Oumar Niasse - and it came as no surprise that with the preseason friendly schedule now complete, not a single Everton striker of any age or level scored for the senior team this summer.

However, on the back burner Director of Football Marcel Brands kept plugging away and today the Toffees announced their fifth signing of the summer - Moise Kean, from Juventus.

For those not familiar with the young forward, the 19-year-old is driven, ambitious and hungry for success, and is widely regarded as not only one of the best young striking talents in Italy but the whole world. In just 17 appearances for the Italian giants last season he banged in seven goals with one assist, heralding his arrival on the big stage. Kean also made his senior international debut, and has two goals in just three caps for Azzurri.

Speaking to evertontv before the signing was announced, Silva said he believed the youngster had all it took to be successful for the Blues -

“A striker was one of our priority signings this summer. When we finished the season we analysed how we could improve our squad. Of course we have Cenk and Dominic but we want more competition, more solutions, and Moise was a good opportunity in the market.

“He is strong, fast, with many good qualities as a striker and he is just 19 years old. He has talent and he is ready to work, ready to improve our squad and gives us different solutions. We will work with him, give him time to adapt and then he can show his qualities.”

The Blues have handed him a five-year deal and are confident he will continue to develop.

“It’s a very good challenge for Moise.

“Of course he was at a big club, now he’s come to another big club and is ready to fight for this challenge and to give everything to Everton Football Club like everyone else in our squad.”