CONFIRMED: Everton announce Gylfi Sigurdsson transfer

Everton have finally signed Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea City for a fee reported to be up to £45m.

The 27-year-old has signed a five-year-deal at Goodison Park and becomes Ronald Koeman’s eighth major signing of the summer. Sigurdsson has been a long-term target for the Everton boss, who enquired about his availability in January and then the clubs engaged in what seemed like an unending back-and-forth since the beginning of this offseason.

Sigurdsson perfectly fits the profile of player Koeman is looking for this summer, namely someone who can link up play between the midfield and strikers. He is also approaching the peak age for a footballer and (in case you hadn’t noticed) is excellent at set pieces.

via Paul Riley

Swansea had continuously rebuffed any advances as the midfielder was key to their battle against relegation. Sigurdsson scored nine goals and registered 13 assists in the Premier League last season to help the Swans avoid the drop with a game to spare.

The Welsh side were understandably reluctant to sell the influential midfielder, who had three years left on his contract at the Liberty Stadium, but Everton were determined to land their man though and a fee was eventually agreed to bring the former Reading and Tottenham Hotspur player to Merseyside, including two performance-related add-ons worth £2.5m each to bring the total to £45m.

Speaking about his move to Goodison, Sigurdsson said:

Hopefully I will continue to create goals and score goals for the team and contribute to the kind of success we’re seeking at the Club.

This is an ambitious club and it is clear we are moving in a really good direction. The most important thing is that this team keeps winning games and climbing the table - and does that throughout the season.

For myself, I would like to score as many goals as possible and create as many goals for my teammates as I can. These are my targets.

But it is always the same thing: as long as the team is winning I will be more than happy.

Koeman was understandably relieved to have the playmaker's signing confirmed:

I’m really happy because the Board and especially our Chairman, Bill Kenwright, did everything to get him. It took some time but finally we have signed the player.

“In my opinion, in his position he is one of the best in the Premier League. We have the player here and that’s really good for the team.

Welcome, Gylfi!