Maitland-Niles wants to pitch in to Everton's 'new chapter'
Everton's Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson (L) vies with Arsenal's English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (R) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 19, 2020. (Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Ainsley Maitland-Niles spoke about signing for Everton after three years in France.
It is a case of coming full circle back to the Premier League for the 29-year-old. He came through the ranks at the Arsenal academy, Hale End, as a midfielder, but first team minutes came with a conversion of position.
He featured as a fullback for Unai Emery and then Mikel Arteta, who used him as a right sided defender. But by the 2020/21 season, his playing time was dwindling.
From Hale End to the exit door
Maitland-Niles went on loan to West Brom for the second half of that season, and in the summer of 2021, he took to social media to declare his frustration at feeling unwanted in North London.
Loans to Roma and Southampton followed during the following two campaigns before his contract expired.
'It's a huge club historically'
He spent three seasons at Lyon, playing 119 times for Les Gones. But once the Toffees failed to get a deadline day deal done for Fulham fullback Kenny Tete, they turned their attention to Maitland-Niles.
He is ready to return to England and contribute to the upwardly mobile David Moyes project.
“I'm happy it's finally done. I'm happy to be here and get cracking. It's been a long time coming.
“It's a huge club historically – they've won a lot – and I want to be a part of the history and win something. I want to get cracking as soon as possible and show my talents on the pitch.
“It's a new chapter [at Everton ] and it can bring great things. The squad, the players, the ability we have here, we can – for sure – bring something special.”
What he brings to the right side
“[I bring] defensive duties first, trying to stop crosses and goals happening. I'd say some forward runs, assists, goals and hopefully a lot of energy down that right side.”