Nikola Vlasic 'really looking forward' to Everton's Europa League campaign as youngster urges team-mates to 'forget' Tottenham defeat

  • Everton face Atalanta away in the Europa League group stage on Thursday night
  • Nikola Vlasic lined up in both legs of Hajduk Split's play-off tie against Everton
  • Just a week after second leg, the winger swapped his homeland for Everton 
  • And now he could play in the Europa League for Ronald Koeman's outfit

Nikola Vlasic last month tried to knock Everton out of the Europa League - now he hopes to shoot Ronald Koeman's men to continental success.

The 19-year-old lined up in both legs of Hajduk Split's play-off tie with the Toffees in August, with the Croatian side eventually bowing out 3-1 on aggregate.

Just a week after the second leg, Vlasic swapped his homeland for Everton in a deal that could eventually reach £10million.

Nikola Vlasic and his Everton team-mates face Atalanta away in Europa League on Thursday

Nikola Vlasic and his Everton team-mates face Atalanta away in Europa League on Thursday

The winger impressed Koeman in the Europa League clash with Hajduk and could now play in the competition for the Toffees as they kick-off the group stage in Italy at Atalanta.


'I'm really looking forward (to it),' Vlasic told evertontv.

'I've never played in the group stage of the Europa League before, so it's exciting. It is something new and a good challenge.

'We need to forget about (Saturday's loss to Tottenham) and look ahead, prepare ourselves and I hope we can get a good result.'

Saturday's 3-0 home loss to Tottenham was certainly an afternoon to forget for Everton.

Vlasic made his debut for Everton against Tottenham, coming on in the 80th minute

Vlasic made his debut for Everton against Tottenham, coming on in the 80th minute

Deadline-day signing Vlasic came on to make his debut in the latter stages of the match and has already noticed the challenges posed by life in English football.

'All the guys have been very good to me, they are all helping me a lot,' Vlasic added.

'I watched these players before on television and now I'm out on the pitch with them. They can help me a lot.

'I can only learn from them because they are very big players.

'It is very fast football here. The game moves faster and I need some time to adapt but I'm not afraid.'