Everton has been strengthening their squad after appointing Rafa Benitez as their new coach as Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid. Everton has already signed forward Andros Townsend and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Now the Premier League club has signed the 25-year-old English winger from German club Bayern Leverkusen on a three-year contract until the end of June 2024 with the option for a fourth year.
Former Leicester City player, Demarai Gray helped Leicester City to win the Premier League title in 2015-16 and he has also represented England at every level from Under-18 to Under-21.
Gray began his career at Birmingham City and made 73 appearances and scored eight goals for the Midlanders before joining Leicester in January 2016. At the age of 19, he became an important part of Leicester’s title-winning campaign and then signed for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in January.
Now, the English winger has returned to the Premier League and will wear the No 11 shirt at Everton.
Gray told evertontv from the Club’s training base in Florida: “I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m excited to play with the team and get to work.”
“Speaking to the manager and [Director of Football] Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the Club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.”
“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won in the past, is important and we’ll look to push forward and compete with the top clubs. I think a club of this magnitude has all the potential to be right up there.”
“Collectively with what Marcel and the manager have said to me, everything fits, including the Club’s ambitions and goals. Everton are a very big club and the main objective is to be pushing and competing back up there in the table.”
“I want to work hard on the training pitch and work my hardest for the Club on the pitch.”
Gray continued: “I want to push on, be a pivotal player in the squad, help the team score goals and assist goals.”
“I feel like I’m at a period in my career now where I can put everything together and achieve the targets I have set for myself.”
“Personally, I just want to help this team succeed, win games and be up there in the table, and to enjoy my football.”
“I’m a speedy, tricky winger who enjoys running with the ball. I like to play anywhere along the front three and I feel like I can be dangerous in all areas. And with the ability I know I have and the belief in myself, I can help this team.”
