James Tarkowski’s transfer to Everton has been announced with the player signing a four-year deal. The 29-year-old centre-back, who will wear the number two shirt at the Blues vacated by Jonjoe Kenny’s departure, arrives on a free transfer.
As revealed in the ECHO back on June 15, the deal was done with an agreement being reached last month but no formal announcement was expected until after his contract with Burnley had officially expired given the sensitive relationship between the two clubs at the time.
Tarkowski told everton.com : "I’m excited to have joined Everton. It’s a massive club. I’m really looking forward to the years ahead and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given.
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“Speaking to the manager, it was very important to see what he wants from his players and his team, what he saw in me and why he wanted to sign me. Speaking to [Director of Football] Kevin Thelwell was also a factor. They both spoke about the ambition here which was really important for me.
“I’m an ambitious person, I want to achieve, I want to win things and I’ve come here to be successful. And then there are the Everton fans. The support they gave the team last season was incredible. You saw just how big the fanbase is. Despite a difficult season, Everton fans got behind their team more than ever.
“I think they are a massive factor about this club. Hopefully successful times are ahead and, with the talent we have in the squad, we can give the fans something they really enjoy.”
Tarkowski joined Burnley from Brentford in February 2016 and played more than 30 Premier League matches in each of the last five seasons, and 35 or more over the past four. He said: “I think the manager [ Lampard ] recognised my strengths, saw how I could fit into his system and hopefully improve the team. He also saw my character and leadership skills - that what I can bring to a group will be good and positive.
“First and foremost, I’m a defender. That part of my game is something I’ve really worked on the past few years to become the best defender possible.
“I want to bring that to the team, but I also feel like I’m a good football player. I can move the ball well, I can pass, I can attack the ball in the other box, so I feel like I’ve got myself in a good place to be successful at a club like Everton.”
Director of Football Thelwell said: “We are delighted to welcome a player of James’ quality to Everton and believe he will be an excellent addition to our squad.
“The statistics show that James has consistently been one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders in recent years. Added to his playing attributes, his excellent leadership skills and experience will be a huge benefit, too.
“James is a player I’ve admired for many years and Frank was very keen to bring him to the club. We look forward to him being a highly-valued member of our squad next season and in the years to come.”
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