The former Brentford captain heads to Merseyside on an initial two-year deal, following a year in which he lifted the Premier League title with Arsenal.
Christian Nørgaard "so happy" after signing for Everton
Nørgaard leaves Arsenal having lifted the Premier League title (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Christian Nørgaard expressed his delight as he signed for Everton on an initial two-year deal from Premier League champions Arsenal.
Nørgaard becomes the second midfielder signing of the summer, after Hayden Hackney was signed from Middlesbrough earlier in the window.
Delight at the deal being done
After joining the Toffees, the Danish midfielder could not hide his delight that the deal had happened.
“Thank you, yes it feels amazing, so happy, and pleased that it has gone through.”
Factors behind the move to Merseyside
Nørgaard claimed that there were many things to consider in the decision, though wanting to play a bigger part on the pitch was one of those.
“I think there were a lot of factors in it [making the move to Everton], coming off a season where it was a big move for me, a big change, but also having a different goal that I have been used to, it felt like coming into the summer, I needed a change again.
“I needed to play a bigger part on the football side of it, so when I spoke to David Moyes and heard about the whole project, I was very intrigued. Coming here, seeing everyone just makes that feeling even stronger; I really can’t wait to get started.
“Also, my past experiences against Everton, the atmosphere, and fans are something that I am really looking forward to experiencing as an Everton player.”
Reflecting on his 12-month stint at Arsenal
Nørgaard believed that the season he spent with Arsenal helped him to develop into a better player, particularly on the experience side of things.
“I think that I am definitely a better player; there is so much that goes on that you don’t see because most people measure by the minutes you play on a weekend.
“I trained every day with some of the best players in the world, and to experience what it takes to win a title, in particular the Premier League, and also getting Champions League experience as well as longer cup campaigns were amazing, and I feel that I developed in so many ways.
Leadership role
Nørgaard’s leadership will be a big plus for Everton, having been Brentford captain, and after Arsenal’s trophy lift on the final day of the season, both Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice namedropped the midfielder as a key man behind the scenes for helping the Gunners over the line.
The 32-year-old believed that he would have to bring the leadership without any second thought.
“It’s something that I have to bring, and I will bring without thinking about it.
“It’s the way that I have approached football for maybe the last four or five years.
“Every player reaches a certain point in their career in which direction they want to go, and I made this decision of how I want to approach football and get the best out of it.
Wearing the number 23 for the Toffees
“It's a big honour to not only wear the Everton shirt, but to wear the number [23]; it's been worn by perhaps one of the biggest legends of this club, Seamus Coleman, who I know has only recently left.
"It's big shoes to fill, but please don't compare. I am a different player with a different history, but I promise you I will wear it with big pride and big honour.
Arteta praises Everton and Moyes
Christian Nørgaard “so happy” after signing for Everton
Christian Nørgaard “so happy” after signing for Everton
Nørgaard’s now former manager, Mikel Arteta, was full of praise for the Toffees and Moyes when talking about the potential move.
“I spoke to him quite a lot about a potential move, and he only had positive things to say about Everton, and also David Moyes.
“He played under him for a long time, and just the whole experience he had as an Everton player, it seemed to me that he had a fantastic time as a player under Moyes at Everton.
“I hope I can get the same feeling that he managed to get as a player here.”