Iliman Ndiaye has joined Everton from Marseille on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Ndiaye moved to Marseille last summer after he helped Sheffield United to promotion but only managed four goals in 46 appearances for the French club, who reached the Europa League Semi-Finals in which they lost to eventual champions, Atalanta.
The 24 year-old however decided to return to English football after he agreed personal terms with the Toffees, following Marseille’s acceptance of an offer.
“I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” commented Ndiaye in his first official interview with evertontv.
“The main reasons I wanted to join were how big the club is, its history and the part I can play in helping the team in the forward direction it is going in. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going.”
Ndiaye also teased what Everton fans can expect from him as he continued: “As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard.
“I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you’re the first defender. I love doing that bit.
“I’m so excited. I want to come in and carry on from the team’s progress last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table.”
This season also sees Everton play their last campaign at Goodison Park and Ndiaye was amused to become part of that final season, as someone he knew instead imagined him scoring the first goal at Bramley Dock Stadium next summer.
“It’s funny because someone said to me, ‘Imagine you scoring the first goal at the new stadium’. It would be a quiz question for so long, ‘Who scored the first goal for Everton at the new stadium?’. At that moment, my daughter, who can’t really talk yet, said, ‘Dada’! Great answer! That’s my target.
“I’ll be very proud to be part of the last season to play Goodison Park, too. There’s history here. I’m really happy to now be part of that.”
Manager, Sean Dyche added that Ndiaye will bring additional attacking options as the Toffees seek to build upon last season’s tough campaign, which saw the club flirt with relegation once again due to points deductions.
“Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created.
“He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.”
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