Coventry City have signed striker, Ellis Simms from Everton for an undisclosed fee.
Simms’s move comes after he scored just one goal in 11 appearances for Everton last season, having been recalled in January from a loan spell at Sunderland where he scored seven goals in 17 matches for the Black Cats – who ultimately went on and lost to Luton in the Play-Off semi-finals.
Following agreement between Coventry and Everton over the transfer fee, Simms signed a four-year contract until June 2027.
Speaking about his decision to move to the Sky Blues, Simms said that he is “delighted” to make the move and will fly out with the squad for their pre-season training camp in Portugal tomorrow.
Simms revealed that he had held discussions with manager, Mark Robins who he believes has “great belief in me and the Club as a whole are on the way up and it seems like it will be a big season or us.
“He has done his research on me, and he likes the way I play, he thinks I will be a good addition to the team.”
On why he thinks Robins was eager to sign him, Simms added: “He knows I can score goals and he knows my strengths and I’m sure once I get on the grass he can teach me a few things and give me the support and the run of games for me to kick on.”
“I know the Championship is going to be competitive with all the teams in it, but I think we are going to get players in and it’s a good project and I’m sure we will do well and kick on.”
Simms even admitted that he expects Coventry to be hungry for automatic promotion last season, as he continued: “I watched the play-offs and obviously they lost in the final, so I know they want more this season, and we want to go up.”
Coventry isn’t Simms’ first foray into the Championship after he played for Sunderland last season, which he is eager to build upon, as he explained: “It was my first time playing in the Championship.
“It was a great experience for me, and it was a little taste of it, but now I’m coming here on a permanent move so I can settle in and its my new home, so I can kick on and strive for more.
“Going on loan is temporary so the loans I’ve been on, I was only there for six months so you never really fully settle in, so hopefully now with the length of the contract I can settle in and build onwards and upwards.”
Simms added that he wants to help Coventry out up front on and off the ball as he said: “That’s what I want to do. I’m a striker and I love scoring goals. More importantly, I want to help the team out if its not scoring goals, then the other side of the game.
“The main thing I want to do though is score goals and help the team.
“I can’t wait for the start of the season. Get that consistency of games and I’m sure it will get the best out of me.”
Robins is “delighted” to welcome Simms to the club who he believes “is a strong, powerful striker who also has pace and finishing ability, and he is a key signing for us.”
Simms also previously enjoyed loan spells with Blackpool and Hearts in the second half of 2020-21 and 21-22 seasons respectively.
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