Everton have announced the capture of Idrissa Gueye from Aston Villa on a four-year contract.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who spent one season at Villa Park in the 2015-16 campaign, joins the Merseyside outfit after his £7.1m release clause was triggered.
CONFIRMED: Everton sign Idrissa Gueye from @AVFCOfficial on a four-year deal. #WelcomeIdrissa pic.twitter.com/3EyaYGquIg
— Everton (@Everton) August 2, 2016
Everton have claimed that Gueye, who signed for Villa from Lille in 2015, was second behind N'Golo Kante in making the most tackles and interceptions across the top five divisions in Europe last season.
The Senegal international made 38 appearances for the Midlands outfit, but he could not save them from relegation as they dropped into the Championship after winning just three of their 38 Premier League games.
Gueye will remain in the top flight, though, as he now represents Ronald Koeman's side and becomes the Dutchman's second signing of the summer following the arrival of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
"I am very happy to be here at Everton and I am very happy and excited to put on the Blue shirt to start the new season here," Gueye told the club's official website. "Everton is a big team with big players and great fans. The manager told me he is very happy to have me here and that we will have time to talk about football after.
"I am a defensive midfield player and I like making passes and also getting forward. I have played a season with Aston Villa which was a hard season but I think my style is good for the Premier League. You have to fight every game. All the teams are strong and you have to concentrate all through the game.
"Goodison Park is a very good stadium and the fans are very good, too. They push their team forward and I am excited to play there."
Gueye has earned 32 caps for Senegal.
Danielle Joynson
