Official: Ajax Captain Davy Klaassen Signs For Everton In £23.6m Deal (Photo)

Alan Duffy

16th, June 2017

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Everton have signed Ajax captain Davy Klaassen for £23.6million on a five-year deal.

The move comes after the Toffees had secured the services of Sunderland goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, for a record-breaking £25m.

The 24-year-old Klassen made 163 appearances for Ajax, winning three league titles with the Dutch giants. He also captained his side in their Europa League final defeat to Manchester United in May.

A Dutch international, the attacking midfielder could well prove to be a replacement for Ross Barkley, with questions marks remaining over the England star’s future at Goodison Park.

On putting pen to paper at Everton, Klassen said:

I’ve walked around the training ground and talked with a few people and it feels good.

I spoke a few weeks ago with Ronald Koeman about Everton. I wanted to come here and check if this was the right club for me and since I came here I feel so happy. It’s a great club.

The moment that I spoke with the manager directly I got a good feeling. He’s an honest guy, we talked about the Club, about the way he wants to play and that gave me a positive feeling.

I talked to him about the Club and everything we want to achieve and he was really positive. It’s difficult to leave Ajax but I think this is a good step for me now and I’m really looking forward to my time here.

Ronald Koeman added:

He is a player who is only 24 but has a lot of experience and is a leader on the pitch. He has already captained Ajax for two seasons and that shows you the type of person he is.

He is hardworking, likes to press and, of course, will give us more creativity and goals

With Pickford already in the bag, the acquisition of Klassen is sure sign that Koeman means business this summer.

Milan’s M’Baye Niang, who spent last season on loan with Watford, is also rumoured to be on his way to Goodison Park, with the Toffees will no doubt serious about improving on their seventh-place finish last season.