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Done Deal! Morgan Schneiderlin is officially an Everton player

Morgan Schneiderlin's career as a Manchester United player is officially over after Everton annou...



Done Deal! Morgan Schneiderlin...
Soccer

Done Deal! Morgan Schneiderlin is officially an Everton player

Morgan Schneiderlin's career as a Manchester United player is officially over after Everton announced the signing of the Frenchman on Thursday afternoon.

Schneiderlin, who signed for Manchester United back in 2015 during the reign of previous manager Louis van Gaal, struggled for game time under current boss Jose Mourinho this season.

The France international, who has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal to the end of June 2021 for an initial £20million fee rising to £24million with add-ons.

"Everton is a big club in the history of English football," he told the club's official website. "I’ve always loved the atmosphere in the stadium. I’ve always liked playing here. I can’t wait to play and to represent this great club.

"There is a manager in place here that I know, I know he can get the best out of me, I know his style and how he likes to play football. He was very good with me from the start and I enjoyed playing football under him.

"He was very good for me and, obviously, he was a massive player in his playing days and you can only learn from the best. At Southampton he gave me some great advice to keep improving every day and it was a pleasure to work with him.

“We spoke since the time I knew Everton would be interested. I know his ambition and why he came here. He believes in this and I do, too. We are trying to achieve something here and this is what I am here for. I know the fans have big expectations and we’ll do everything to make them come true.

He added: "When I spoke with the manager and the people in place at Everton I understood immediately that they have a very good plan for the future of the Football Club. I just want to play football. I want to put my print on this Club and do everything to get Everton where it belongs."

Everton boss Ronald Koeman said: “I’m very pleased because I know the player, I know the qualities of the player, I know him as a person and he’s really desperate to come to Everton - and that’s what we need,” he said.

"We want good players but we also want players who really want to show their qualities in front of the fans of Everton.

"He’s a strong character. I worked with him for one season at Southampton and he’s a midfield player who can play in different positions in the midfield. He’s also a fast player, he’s a clever player and he’s a personality. Normally, he’s part of the French national team and at 27 years old he’s part of the future at Everton.

"Morgan is really hungry to show his qualities and to play because that is the best thing for a football player. You are born as a football player to play games, not to sit on the bench or not be part of the team. But this is a new step, it’s a new future and he will show his qualities. I am convinced of that."

Everton have made the rather unusual choice of naming Schneiderlin as #2 in the squad.

Schneiderlin also posted on Instagram to thank Manchester United fans for their support during his brief spell at the club.

"I would like first to thanks all the fans of Manchester United for their support throughout the 18 months I spend with you.

"It was very special, of course I wanted to do more for this football club but it didn't happen for some reason that I respect. 

"Secondly I wish the very best for the future to all the players and all the staff of Manchester United."

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