James Tarkowski has revealed that Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell has finally got his man after originally trying to sign the Blues’ latest recruit back when he was playing for his first club Oldham Athletic.
The Latics became the first former Premier League outfit to drop out of the Football League this year when they suffered relegation to the National League some 28 seasons after they last turned out in the top flight under Joe Royle – going down on the day of Everton’s ‘Great Escape’ against Wimbledon – but it was while playing for them almost a decade ago that a young Tarkowski first caught Thelwell’s eye while playing in League One.
He told evertontv : “I’m excited to be here. I’m really looking forward to the years ahead and I’m just thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given.
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“There’s a few [reasons why I chose Everton]… Speaking to the manager, first of all, which is very important – seeing what he wants from his players and from his team, what he saw in me and why he wanted to sign me.
“He also spoke about leadership and that was something that was just brought out of me at Burnley. I was made captain a few times, and then being the position I’m in and the qualities that I have, I feel it’s a real strength in my game. I hope I can bring that to this group.
“Speaking to Kevin Thelwell was also important to my decision. He tried to sign me when he was at Wolves and I was at Oldham so he’s known about me for a long time. It’s gone full circle and he’s managed to sign me in the end.
“And then also the Everton fans, seeing the way the team struggled last season but how the fanbase were behind them and the way they supported them right until the end to get the lads over the line. I thought it was incredible, to be honest.
“You don’t often see it from any fanbase so to see it from a team that was struggling at the time is just incredible. Fair play to the fans, I think it’s a massive factor about this club. Hopefully successful times are ahead and the fans can get something that they really enjoy.”
While he's the older of the pair by just 54 days, Tarkowksi follows in the footsteps of former Clarets team-mate Michael Keane, who was his centre-back partner at Turf Moor for almost one-and-a-half seasons, in moving from Burnley to Everton some five years on, but he didn’t sound him out for any advice. He said: “It’s always nice to have someone you know you can go to when you’re settling into a new group.
“Keano’s a great lad and someone I’ve always kept in touch with ever since he left Burnley. I didn’t actually speak to him before joining, just because I didn’t want to open my mouth too early.
“But, speaking to him through the years, I know how much he loves this club and know how big the club is just from speaking to him.
“I know what I’ve got here and I look forward to it. It’s nice to join up with him again and I look forward to seeing him.
“Of course, there’s some very good players here. I’ve played with Keano, I know how good he is, and I’ve played against other lads here.
“Competition is important, it pushes you on and makes you want to play better, so I look forward to getting out there and training with the lads. It’s a squad game so everyone is in it together for a successful season.”
Although the boyhood Manchester United fan grew up down the other end of the East Lancs Road, after spending the entirety of his career to date as an opponent, he’s finally looking forward to playing at Goodison Park in a royal blue jersey and showing Everton’s fans what he can do.
Tarkowski said: “That’s really important for me – to feel the ambition [from Lampard and Thelwell]. I’m an ambitious person, I want to achieve, I want to win things so I’ve not just come here for a nice time.
“I’ve come here to be successful. As I said before, you saw during a difficult season last year how big this fanbase is.
“A lot of fans could have turned against their team in a situation of struggle but Everton fans got behind their team more than ever. Growing up down the road, I also saw a lot of successful times for Everton, how good there were then, and hopefully we can bring back the good times.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of playing at Goodison Park in the past, seeing the fanbase and the atmosphere. I just can’t wait to get out there and play there myself.
“Last year was difficult as a club but hopefully there is a successful season ahead. There’s a talented squad here and I know that because I’ve played against them. Hopefully I can bring some qualities to that and, with a few more additions, I’m sure we’re in for a good season.”
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