Everton have confirmed the £7million signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Arsenal
Everton have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Arsenal
Everton have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Arsenal(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Everton have completed their fourth signing of the summer transfer window by completing a £7million deal for Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard.
The 32-year-old has penned an two-year deal at Hill Dickinson Stadium having arrived from the reigning Premier League champions after just a single season at the Emirates Stadium. Although Norgaard, who announced his retirement from international football with Denmark on May 12, after winning 41 caps and netting twice for his country, has made over 200 appearances in English football, he had to make do with a bit-part role in Mikel Arteta’s squad last season.
He turned out 20 times for the Gunners, but only seven of those outings were in the Premier League. His lengthiest display and solitary start in the competition came on the final day 2-1 win at Crystal Palace when they lifted the trophy and even then, he was taken off at half-time to be replaced by Kai Havertz.
"It feels amazing. I'm so, so happy and pleased to have joined Everton," Norgaard told evertontv after completing his move.
"There were many factors to it. I felt I needed a change and to play a bigger football role. When I spoke to David Moyes and others at the Club involved in the transfer, I heard about the whole project and I was very intrigued. Coming here just makes that feeling even stronger.
"Also, my past experience of playing against Everton: the whole atmosphere, the fans, is something I really look forward to experience as an Everton player. It’s a big, big honour for me, and it's something I'll do my very best, not only on game days, but in general to remember how much it means for people who support this club. It will be my mindset to represent the club in the best possible way."
With the obligation on turning Merlin Rohl’s loan from Freiburg into a permanent move being taken up after Everton avoided relegation; Championship Player of the Season Hayden Hackney joining from Middlesbrough for £16.5million and the Blues renegotiating Tyrique George’s price with Chelsea rather than taking up his loan option, acquiring him for £18million up front, Norgaard is the club’s fourth signing this summer.
He has been identified as a natural replacement for Idrissa Gueye who left after seven seasons of service over two spells, making 236 appearances in total and scoring 10 goals. Gueye, who turns 37 next month, did not play enough games last season for an option to extend his contract by 12 months to kick in and despite negotiations between both parties, the departure of Senegal’s most capped player was announced on July 24.