It has been a summer like no other in recent Everton memory. We are only just into July and the Toffees have just signed their third player of the transfer window.
The club today announced that Senegal international and Olympique Marseille forward Iliman Ndiaye has joined the Blues on a five-year contract. While the transfer fee is officially undisclosed, it’s been widely reported as about £15.5m before add-ons and bonuses of another £1m or so.
Iliman Ndiaye is a Blue! ✍️🔵 pic.twitter.com/qy61FvlOQ8
— Everton (@Everton) July 3, 2024
Ndiaye, 24, is a right-footed forward that has extensive experience playing his youth football in France and England. He broke through with Sheffield United’s Under-21s and was pivotal in the Blades’ promotion-winning campaign in 2022-23, scoring 15 goals and picking up 12 assists for the Championship side.
They went on to sell him to Olympique Marseille last summer for just above £14m, marking an unhappy season for Ndiaye back at one of his youth sides. He scored just four goals with five assists for the French side as he became a victim of the managerial merry-go-round at OM that saw four different managers take charge last season.
Born in Rouen France, Ndiaye is an international teammate of Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, having featured nineteen times with two goals and three assists for Senegal, having played in both the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking to evertontv shortly after signing his contract, Ndiaye said –
“I am so pleased to be an Everton player. The main reasons I wanted to join were how big the club is, its history and the part I can play in helping the team in the forward direction it is going in. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going.
“Kevin [Thelwell] and the manager both spoke to me and made me feel wanted. My Senegal teammate Idrissa also played a part and spoke highly of the Club and a lot of good things.
“As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you’re the first defender. I love doing that bit.
“I’m so excited. I want to come in and carry on from the team’s progress last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table”.
Manager Sean Dyche added –
“Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created.
“He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.”
Director of Football Kevin Thelwell –
“Iliman is a player we have admired for a long time and we are delighted to bring a much sought-after player of his quality to Everton.
“We think he will excite Evertonians and give our attack a different dimension. He has performed in Europe with a big club like Marseille and, at 24, we are confident he can be an excellent player for us for many years to come.”
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