Everton have announced the signing of Thierno Barry from Spanish side Villarreal on a four-year deal. The French U21 international arrives on Merseyside having scored 11 goals to help guide the Yellow Submarine to a place in the Champions League during his only season in La Liga. He becomes Everton’s second signing of the summer after Carlos Alcaraz’s loan deal was made permanent.
The forward expressed his excitement about joining the Toffees in a statement to the club’s media team.
“I’m very happy. It’s very exciting to be here. I just can’t wait to start and I hope to start very quickly. Everton is a big club in the Premier League. They have a good history, and good players have played here, like Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku. When I was young, I liked to watch these players; now I want to do like these players who have gone before.
“I had good conversations with the manager. He told me I have the quality to play in the Premier League. Barry wants to do good work with me. He wants to help me on my road, and I felt the sincerity with him, so that’s why I chose to come here as well.
“For me, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think I have proved in my career so far that I can adapt. For example, last season I went to La Liga, which is a top league, and I think I had a good season for my first season. I’m not scared to play here and do the same.
“I think the fans here are, like, crazy people. I like this! I like to score for these people. I just want to play here, score, and enjoy it with the fans.
“On the pitch, I always give 100 percent; I always want to score, and I always want to help the team win. This is my character. For me, this is my meal, my food. When I score, I’m very happy. I will always give 100 percent on the pitch and try to score goals.
“The stadium is very big, it’s an amazing stadium, and I’m looking forward to seeing the fans in here. When the manager came last season, I think Barry changed a little bit of the team, and I feel this. With the new stadium, I think the club comes with a new ambition, so I want to play my part in that.”
