MX23RW : Friday, April 26 17:40:17| >> :120:8784:8784:

Michael Keane "absolutely delighted" to join Everton

Everton defender Michael Keane cannot wait to get going at his new club, admitting that the prospect of working under Ronald Koeman was enough to persuade him to join.

Michael Keane has admitted that he is "delighted" to have finalised his move from Burnley to Everton and says that working under new boss Ronald Koeman was a key factor.

The former Manchester United product put pen to paper on a five-year deal on Monday evening for an initial fee of £25m, which could rise to a record-equalling £30m - the amount paid to sign Jordan Pickford from Sunderland last month.

Keane is understood to have chosen the Toffees over a number of other potential suitors, and the 24-year-old is confident that he has made the right choice after meeting face-to-face with European Cup-winning defender Koeman.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be at Everton, a fantastic football club with passionate fans and a great tradition and I can't wait to come into training tomorrow to meet all the lads," he told his new club's official website. "First and foremost, the manager was a big factor in me coming to the club. He played in my position when he was a world-class player for a great Barcelona side and a great Dutch side and the style of football he likes to play will suit me, I believe.

"I watched a lot of Everton last season and I believe I really suit how the team likes to play. I feel like this is a great place to come and continue my development as a player. He's convinced me that he can still improve me in certain areas of my game. I'm only 24 which, for a centre-half in the Premier League, is relatively young. I've still got a long way to go and I know this and hopefully under his guidance I'll keep improving.

"You always want to play for a manager who believes in you. I wanted to come somewhere I was wanted by the staff, players and fans as well. I feel like Everton is the perfect match. I've also got to say thanks to the chairman Bill Kenwright - he's been absolutely fantastic getting the deal through.

"I also spoke with Steve Walsh, who I knew from my time at Leicester four or five years ago, and they really convinced me that this was the place to come and that Everton is the perfect club for me."

Everton had earlier announced the arrival of Sandro Ramirez from Malaga, taking their summer transfer spending past the £90m mark.

ID:301790: cacheID:301790:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3876:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Michael Keane in the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on March 26, 2017
Read Next:
Everton complete Michael Keane signing
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!