Everton have completed the signing of Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz for a fee believed to be in the region of £25-£30m.
The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international signed a 5-year-deal and is reported to be considered a like-for-like replacement for Idrissa Gana Gueye in a central holding role after he completed his move to Paris St Germain earlier in the week.
“It’s a big moment with a lot of emotion and now it’s on me to prove on the pitch why they bought me,” Gbamin told evertontv.
“I’m excited because Everton is a great club here in England with a big history and ambition so I didn’t think for more than a moment – I wanted to come here.
“I like to go in the duels. I like to run a lot and tackle. I also pass good and have a good transition. All the rest, the fans will see. I will give everything on the pitch.”
Gbamin becomes Everton’s fourth summer signing after Andre Gomes, Jonas Lössl and Fabian Delph.
Manager Marco Silva said: “Jean-Philippe is a player who has developed really well during the last three seasons and achieved a very good level of performance playing in a high level competition like the Bundesliga.
“He is ready for this challenge – to come and help us to keep getting better. He is full of ambition to play for Everton, fits with our model and he will give us different solutions in our midfield.”
