Everton sign Nikola Vlasic on five-year deal

Everton have completed the signing of Nikola Vlasic on a five-year deal from Hajduk Split.

The 18-year-old forward moves to Goodison Park for an undisclosed fee, becoming Everton's ninth signing of a busy transfer window.

Vlasic, who will wear the number 27 shirt for the Toffees, was part of the Hajduk Split side that played against Everton in the Europa League qualifying rounds earlier this month.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to play for this big club. The Premier League is the best league in the world and this is one of the top clubs in England. It is such a big honour for me to be here. When I heard that Everton were interested in me, I knew straight away I wanted to come here. Whenever someone called my manager or my father, I told them I only wanted to come to Everton," he told the club's official website.

"The ambition of the club is to ultimately play in the Champions League and I want to help achieve that goal. I believe in myself and in this team - I think we can do great things together. When there is a manager like Ronald Koeman who wants you, there is no need to talk about it much. I wanted to come here because of the manager, because of the big players, because of the reputation of the club. It is the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I played a lot of games for Hajduk Split but the Premier League is something else. Playing football in England is a much bigger stage - football is number one here. I believe in myself. I want to learn from my teammates, improve and I believe I can be successful here."

Koeman added: "We are very happy to bring Nikola to the club as he is one of the big young talents in Europe.

"He showed that quality when we played Hajduk in the Europa League and he is only 19, so he will develop. Nikola is one of those players who can play a big part in Everton's future and in what we want to achieve as a club."

Vlasic could make his debut for Everton at home to Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.