The Blues' new signing has set out to key reasons for his willingness to join Everton, including chats with his new boss, his old boss and the thrill of Everton's former home, Goodison Park
David Moyes and Mikel Arteta were both driving forces in Christian Norgaard’s decision to join Everton, the club’s fourth summer signing said.
The 32-year-old was officially announced as a Blue on Wednesday night after having completed his medical across the previous 48 hours.
The £7m arrival from Arsenal is set to boost Moyes on and off-the-pitch, with his leadership skills well-honed in the Premier League with Brentford and his ability to operate as a defensive midfielder set to provide freedom to the more progressive central midfield talent already assembled at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Upon confirmation of the deal, Norgaard expressed excitement at the prospect of playing for Everton - citing previous experiences at Goodison Park and Hill Dickinson as influential factors in his willingness to move.
He said: “My past experience of playing against Everton: the whole atmosphere, the fans, is something I really look forward to experiencing 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.
“I can't wait to experience the atmosphere as an Everton player. Goodison was amazing. I just remember the ground was shaking – literally shaking. Then we came to the new stadium last year and I was so surprised because you often see clubs lose that intimacy and atmosphere [at a new stadium]. But I was so overwhelmed by how good the atmosphere was as well. So I can see that the soul from Goodison has been brought to the new stadium.”
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Norgaard was involved in high-profile games at Everton for Brentford and Arsenal. For the Bees, he played in the dramatic 3-2 win that denied nine-man Everton the ability to clinch safety before the Crystal Palace thriller under Frank Lampard. The teams arrived to a vociferous coach welcome that day.
He was sent off for a challenge on Jordan Pickford - a red card that was later rescinded - in a goalless draw in the final year at Goodison and then watched from the bench in December when Arsenal took a controversial, hard-fought win away from Hill Dickinson on the night the players were welcomed to a stunning tifo display.
Norgaard pointed directly to other factors, including conversations with his new manager and his now former one.
He said: “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.”
And on the role of Arteta, who played under Moyes during the Scot’s first stint at the club, Norgaard said: “I spoke to him quite a lot about the potential move. And he had only positive things to say about Everton and also David Moyes.
“He played for him for a long time and the whole experience he had as an Everton player seemed to me as if he had a fantastic time here and really also excelled as a player under David Moyes. Hopefully I can get the same feeling as an Everton player.”