EVERTON have strengthened their squad with the acquisition of Demarai Gray from German club Bayer Leverkusen.
The Englishman is a wide forward who will provide competition for Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi and Brazilian Bernard.
“Demarai Gray has sealed a move to Everton from Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a three-year contract until the end of June 2024 with the option for a fourth year,” Everton announced on Thursday.
“The 25-year-old English winger becomes the Blues’ third summer signing following the arrivals this week of forward Andros Townsend and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.”
Gray has joined the Everton squad in Orlando, United States for the Florida Cup.
The wideman, who was in the Leicester City squad that won the Premier League title in 2015/16, explained why he made the move back to the Premier League with Everton.
“I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m excited to play with the team and get to work,” he told Everton TV from the club’s training base in Florida.
“Speaking to the manager (Rafael Benitez) and [Director of Football] Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the Club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.
“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won in the past, is important and we’ll look to push forward and compete with the top clubs. I think a club of this magnitude has all the potential to be right up there.
“Collectively with what Marcel and the manager have said to me, everything fits, including the Club’s ambitions and goals. Everton are a very big club and the main objective is to be pushing and competing back up there in the table.
“I want to work hard on the training pitch and work my hardest for the Club on the pitch.”
Gray, who will wear the No.11 shirt for Everton this season, played for Leicester City between January 2016 and January 2021 before switching to Bayer Leverkusen.
“I want to push on, be a pivotal player in the squad, help the team score goals and assist goals,” he added.
“I feel like I’m at a period in my career now where I can put everything together and achieve the targets I have set for myself.
“Personally, I just want to help this team succeed, win games and be up there in the table, and to enjoy my football.
“I’m a speedy, tricky winger who enjoys running with the ball. I like to play anywhere along the front three and I feel like I can be dangerous in all areas. And with the ability I know I have and the belief in myself, I can help this team.”
Gray scored 13 goals and made 17 assists in 169 appearances for Leicester, and contributed one goal and two assists in 12 matches for Leverkusen.
