Yannick Bolasie has signed for Everton on a five-year deal after passing a medical on Merseyside in a £25m transfer, which could potentially rise to a club record £30m.
The Democratic Republic of Congo winger, who came off the bench in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, had made clear his desire for a fresh start after four years at Selhurst Park.
“I’m looking forward to putting on the Everton shirt,” Bolasie told the Everton website. “This is a big club and I know all about it from having played against them over the years.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to come here. But now that I’ve come to Everton, the job is not done. I’ve got to work hard and feel my way in. I’m ready and up for the challenge.”
Bristol City, who sold Bolasie to Palace in 2012 for only £350,000, are due a substantial windfall having inserted a sizeable sell-on fee into the original move.
CONFIRMED: We have signed @YannickBolasie from Crystal Palace on a five-year deal. #Bo14sieIsABluehttps://t.co/VsfD7JtkYl
— Everton (@Everton) August 15, 2016
The Palace manager Alan Pardew was a reluctant seller but accepted Bolasie’s “heart and soul may be elsewhere” after Everton formally lodged their interest last week.
He told the Palace website: “We are very sorry to lose Yannick, he has played a massive part in the success of the club since he joined four years ago and it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye. He has been a pleasure to work with and a true professional around the team, with an infectious personality which we will miss around the club.
“Nonetheless this is a move that Yannick was keen to make and we have agreed a deal with Everton. He has been an iconic figure at Selhurst Park and we thank him for his contribution”.
Bolasie added: “It’s not about the money for me. It’s about looking at the ambition of the club and where they are trying to get to. I just like to play football.
“I just like to play football and it’s going to be really interesting to learn from someone like Ronald Koeman, who was obviously a top centre-back as a player and he played with some of the best players in the world.
“The club has made good signings, players like Ashley Williams who I know well – and I know that I’ve joined a club that not only has lots of quality players but one that produces lots of quality players, like Ross Barkley, as well.
“This season is going to be very interesting and I’m looking forward to being part of it here at Everton.”
The Everton manager Koeman said: “Yannick is a player who has been a long time on my radar because he’s the type of winger I like – fast, strong and he can play different positions in the forward line. He’s a really good signing for the club.
“At 27, he’s a good age and he has experience in the Premier League. He will give strength to the team and I’m very pleased to have Yannick as part of what we are trying to build here at Everton.”
The Guardian