Everton have confirmed the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United.
The 27-year-old midfielder joins the Merseyside club on a four-and-a-half year deal for an initial fee of £20m which may rise to £24m, the same price Man United paid Southampton back in the summer of 2014.
Schneiderlin arrived at United with so much promise as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders but it just hasn’t worked out for him at all. Now he’s got the opportunity of a fresh start at Everton under a manager who has real belief and trust in him.
???? | @schneiderlinmo4 has signed a deal to the end of June 2021 for an initial £20m fee rising to £24m https://t.co/gOVl7BG5Va #WelcomeMorgan pic.twitter.com/DgucuIH93S
— Everton (@Everton) January 12, 2017
We'd like to wish all the best to @SchneiderlinMo4, who has completed a permanent move to Everton: https://t.co/o7zUlgFyWe #MUFC pic.twitter.com/1sR7Yc0McO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 12, 2017
Speaking about signing Schneiderlin, Koeman said: “We want good players but we also want players who really want to show their qualities in front of the fans of Everton.
“He’s a strong character. I worked with him for one season at Southampton and he’s a midfield player who can play in different positions in the midfield. He’s also a fast player, he’s a clever player and he’s a personality. Normally, he’s part of the French national team and at 27 years old he’s part of the future at Everton.
“Morgan is really hungry to show his qualities and to play because that is the best thing for a football player. You are born as a football player to play games, not to sit on the bench or not be part of the team. But this is a new step, it’s a new future and he will show his qualities. I am convinced of that.”
Schneiderlin will go straight into Everton’s squad for their Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
We wish him the best of luck at Everton, especially on Sunday if he fancies having a world class performance against the bitters.