Everton Sign Gylfi Sigurdsson

Everton have completed the signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson on a five-year deal for a club record fee believed to be around £40m.

The Toffees agreed a deal for the Iceland international on Tuesday night to end a summer-long chase before the 27-year old passed a medical at the club earlier on Wednesday.

Sigurdsson: “Hopefully I will continue to create goals and score goals for the team and contribute to the kind of success we’re seeking at the Club.

“This is an ambitious club and it is clear we are moving in a really good direction. The most important thing is that this team keeps winning games and climbing the table – and does that throughout the season.

“For myself, I would like to score as many goals as possible and create as many goals for my teammates as I can. These are my targets.

“But it is always the same thing: as long as the team is winning I will be more than happy.”

Sigurdsson also acknowledged that the prospect of working under Koeman –  twice a European Cup winner as a player – further fuelled his desire to play for Everton.

“He was a great player, one of the top players of his time,” said Sigurdsson. “Now he is a really good manager and his vision for Everton is clear. He has built up a really good squad here, with strong players, both young and experienced.

“This was a key factor for me. Ultimately, that is a dream of mine and everyone at this Club. I know the supporters and players would agree with that.”

Koeman: I’m really happy because the Board and especially our Chairman, Bill Kenwright, did everything to get him. It took some time but finally we have signed the player,”

“In my opinion, in his position he is one of the best in the Premier League. We have the player here and that’s really good for the team.”

Player Profile via Tom Ferguson

It is clear what Ronald Koeman wants…

More goals and creativity from all over the pitch.

Gylfi Sigurdsson fits the bill.

With 49 caps for his native Iceland, he has picked up a respectable 15 goals.

In what was a truly abysmal Swansea City side, Sigurdsson managed to grab himself nine goals and a very impressive 13 assists.

A key factor why the Swans retained their top division status.

At 27, Sigurdsson is coming to his peak. He stands at 6ft1 and is as capable with his left foot as he is with his right.

His ability to be deployed in more than one position is a massive plus.

With Ross Barkley’s future up in the air, he would be the perfect replacement.

A Steven Pienaar shaped gap has plagued Everton since the demise of the South African. Sigurdsson is a man who can make the left hand side his own.

After putting aside a troublesome experience at Spurs, he has thrived off becoming the main man in a side. A team built around the former Reading ace is vital to getting the best out of him.

Lacking leaders has troubled the Blues’ ranks for a number of years.

Sigurdsson was handed the captain’s armband and led by example on more than one occasion en route to saving Paul Clement’s outfit from the drop.

An issue with Everton has been the lack of danger and productivity from set pieces.

Since the questionable decision to remove Leighton Baines from dead ball duties there’s been no true excitement from the Goodison faithful when getting that free kick on the edge of the 18-yard-box or a corner.

Gylfi is the man to change that. A serious threat to anyone’s goal when given the chance to whip it in or line up a shot at goal.

Up the Toffees.