EXCLUSIVE: Christian Norgaard has been backed as an inspired signing for Everton by Arsenal legend Alan Smith
Christian Norgaard can become the ‘brains’ of the Everton team and is an inspired transfer - even if things didn’t work out for him at Arsenal.
That's according to Gunners legend Alan Smith, who has backed Norgaard to be a big hit at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The former Denmark international joined the Blues on August 5 for an undisclosed fee understood to be £7million and signed a two-year contract.
Norgaard rose to become captain at Brentford before moving to the Emirates Stadium last summer and has made over 200 appearances in English football.
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However, he played just 20 times at Arsenal, with only 11 coming from the start, as he primarily played a back-up and supporting as Mikel Arteta's side were crowned Premier League champions.
But Smith, who won a brace of League Championships with the Gunners plus the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup, netting 115 goals in 351 games, believes Norgaard will be a key player for Everton.
Speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk, the 63-year-old told the ECHO: “I think we were all a bit surprised that he didn’t get so much game time under Mikel Arteta.
“But he’s still only 32. It’s a classic David Moyes signing, really, getting a solid citizen, someone who is good in the dressing room.
“But it’s the know-how, I think, in midfield that he’s buying into there. Norgaard is somebody that can organise, set good standards, with great experience.
“So that looks like a canny signing to me from David Moyes. For Norgaard as well it’s a great move, he will have wondered where his career was heading. So, to go up to Merseyside and Everton, I think that will be a successful signing.”
Norgaard did not feature in the Blues' final three pre-season fixtures following his arrival from Arsenal but was present for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lille.
The veteran said when joining Everton: “It feels amazing. I’m so, so happy and pleased to have joined Everton 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.
“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.”
The Blues kick-off the new Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday (3pm).