
Everton have announed the signing of attacking midfielder Glyfi Sigurdsson from Swansea City for a club-record fee believed to be around £45m, which is also a record sum of money received by Swansea City for a player.
A club statement read:
"Gylfi Sigurdsson has vowed to “create goals” and “score goals” for ambitious Everton after completing his Club-record move to the Blues on a five-year deal from Swansea City. The 27-year-old midfielder is Everton’s eighth new signing of the summer and, after penning a contract until the end of June 2022, has been hailed as one of the Premier League’s best players by his new manager Ronald Koeman. The 6ft 1in Iceland international spent the past three seasons with Swansea and was directly involved in 21 Premier League goals last term. He also covered the greatest distance covered by any top-flight player during the season – 433 kilometres – and has been directly involved in 53 league goals since the start of 2014/15 – second only as a midfielder to Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen. Everton boss Koeman was thrilled to capture one of his prime targets, who he believes will add “productivity” to his ambitious team. And Sigurdsson is eager to deliver what his new manager is looking for. “Hopefully I will continue to create goals and score goals for the team and contribute to the kind of success we’re seeking at the Club,” Sigurdsson told evertontv. “This is an ambitious club and it is clear we are moving in a really good direction. The most important thing is that this team keeps winning games and climbing the table - and does that throughout the season. “For myself, I would like to score as many goals as possible and create as many goals for my teammates as I can. These are my targets. “But it is always the same thing: as long as the team is winning I will be more than happy.” Sigurdsson also acknowledged that the prospect of working under Koeman – twice a European Cup winner as a player – further fuelled his desire to play for Everton. “He was a great player, one of the top players of his time,” said Sigurdsson. “Now he is a really good manager and his vision for Everton is clear. He has built up a really good squad here, with strong players, both young and experienced. “This was a key factor for me. Ultimately, that is a dream of mine and everyone at this Club. I know the supporters and players would agree with that.” Koeman was delighted to land a player he revealed had been in his sights for some time. “I’m really happy because the Board and especially our Chairman, Bill Kenwright, did everything to get him. It took some time but finally we have signed the player,” Koeman told evertontv. “In my opinion, in his position he is one of the best in the Premier League. We have the player here and that’s really good for the team.” Born in Reykjavík, Sigurdsson began his youth career in his homeland with Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar (FH) and Breiðablik UBK, before moving to English shores to join Reading as a 16-year-old. He signed for 1899 Hoffenheim in 2010, with fans voting for him as their Player of the Season, before he joined Swansea on loan on New Year’s Day 2012. But a permanent transfer to the Swans collapsed and Tottenham Hotspur swooped. He spent two seasons at White Hart Lane, scoring eight goals in 58 top-flight appearances, but then re-joined the Swans for a second spell. He was named the Swans’ Player of the Year in both 2015/16 and 2016/17, his displays establishing him as a firm fans’ favourite at the Liberty Stadium. On the international stage, the midfielder starred for Iceland as they reached the quarter finals of Euro 2016. He has amassed 50 caps for his country."