Everton have confirmed the signing of Thierno Barry for an initial £27.5 million fee
Thierno Barry is officially an Everton player. The club confirmed the striker had signed a four-year deal on Wednesday.
The France youth international arrives from Villarreal and has forfeited the chance to play Champions League football next season to join the Blues. Barry netted 11 La Liga goals last season to help the Yellow Submarine finish fifth in La Liga.
The 22-year-old will cost Everton around £27 million. Barry had a £34 million release clause in his contract with Villarreal.
The forward, speaking to Everton TV, said he was delighted to be making the switch to the Toffees at what is a critical spell in the club's history:
"I'm very happy," Barry told evertontv. "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. He 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 proved in my career so far that I can adapt. For example, last season I went to LaLiga, 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."
The signing is a key one for manager David Moyes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin left the club after nine years this summer, while the public pursuit of Liam Delap ultimately failed, with the striker opting to join Chelsea from Ipswich Town.
"We are delighted to have brought Thierno to the Club," said Moyes. "We see lots of potential and we are hoping for good things from him.
"We will give him plenty of time to settle in and we are looking forward to getting started working with him as soon as possible. I'm hoping to make more additions in the coming weeks."
It means Barry joins Beto and Youssef Chermiti as Everton's centre-forward options for the new season. Beto impressed under Moyes last season and finished the Premier League season with eight goals.
The new season is a significant one from Everton, as they move into their new Hill Dickinson Stadium on the Liverpool waterfront.
Barry, who is the club's second permanent signing this summer after Carlos Alcaraz, will have the perfect stage upon which to perform as a result.