Everton have announced the signing of Arnaut Danjuma on a season-long loan from Villarreal.
The 26-year-old spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, representing the North London side on 12 occasions, scoring twice in the process.
Spurs turned down the chance to acquire the Netherlands international on a permanent basis, but he is now back in the Premier League for a third time, with Everton signing him for the 2023-24 season.
Danjuma previously represented Bournemouth between 2019 and 2021, scoring 17 goals and registering eight assists in 52 appearances in all competitions, ahead of a move to Villarreal.
The Dutchman has made 51 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 22 goals and providing four assists, and he still has another three years left to run on his contract with the Spanish club.
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"It's amazing to join Everton and I'm really happy to be here," he told evertontv. "It's been a long time coming to join such a massive club as Everton and it makes me proud.
"I had interest from other clubs but there was a pull towards Everton because of the fans, the manager and the history of the club and it's second time lucky for me.
"I know I did not move to the club in January, that was because there was some uncertainty over the manager situation at that time, but I think it makes it even more beautiful for me to join now. I am very grateful to be at the Club and I can't wait to play in front of the fans as well.
"I hope to bring a lot of goals and a lot of assists. The manager has clearly improved the team and there is a process ahead with him in charge that I am very excited to be a part of.
"I am very eager to perform and very determined to contribute to the entire club. There's no vein in my body that doubts my quality, and I'm very determined to now show that for the Evertonians."
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Danjuma also paid tribute to the Everton fans for the noise that they produced when Michael Keane levelled the scores during the team's Premier League clash with Tottenham at Goodison Park in April.
"It is difficult to explain in words how much they impressed me. I have heard a lot about the stadium and the fans but you can only ever experience it." he said.
"Specifically for that [Keane] goal, I was warming up down the touchline and it literally felt like 40,000 people were screaming in my ear. It makes you more keen to play for a club with a fanbase that is so involved and so excited to cheer on their players.
"It's why I am proud and very eager to get started; to finally feel that on my side as well. I'm very eager to be a part of it, and to make sure I can contribute to winning games, as well as contributing to the way we play."
Danjuma has become Everton's second signing of the summer, following Ashley Young to Goodison Park.
Matt Law
