Klaassen impressed after completing Everton move
Everton spent over £50million on Thursday with the signing of Davy Klaassen from Ajax adding to the capture of Jordan Pickford.
Having announced the £30million club-record signing of keeper Pickford from Sunderland earlier in the day, Ronald Koeman’s recruitment drive continued when Everton confirmed a £23.5million deal for Ajax skipper Klaassen.
Pickford, 23, has joined the Toffees for an initial £25million which could rise to £30million with add-ons, which would eclipse the £28million deal the Merseysiders struck with Chelsea for striker Romelu Lukaku in 2014.
If that was not enough good news for all Evertonians, the club followed up one big signing with another as they landed Holland international Klaassen.
The 24-year-old scored 49 goals in 163 appearances for Ajax, with his last game for the club coming in their 2-0 Europa League defeat to Manchester United.
Now he will link up with Pickford next season, with his arrival throwing more doubt on the future of Ross Barkley – who has yet to agree new terms with the club.
Hi @Everton! Let us introduce you to @DavyKlaassen. ✖️✖️✖️#DavyBedankt pic.twitter.com/0TcWYnnh0v
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) June 15, 2017
“I spoke a few weeks ago with Ronald Koeman about Everton,” Klaassen said after his signing was announced.
“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.”