Transfer Centre

Bernard joins Everton on four-year deal

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 09 August 2018

Everton confirm the signing of Brazil international Bernard on a free transfer following his departure from Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of last season.

Everton have confirmed the signing of Brazil international Bernard on a free transfer.

Bernard left Shakhtar Donetsk when his contract expired at the end of last season, and he has now put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Everton which will keep him at Goodison Park until 2022.

The Toffees are understood to have beaten the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan and West Ham United to the winger's signature, and the 25-year-old revealed that manager Marco Silva played a major role in his decision to join the club.

"I chose Everton because of all the things I had heard about Marco Silva and after speaking to him I was happy with what he said to me," Bernard told Everton TV.

"The manager made me feel confident about playing here. He is a very good coach and he has achieved really good things at other clubs. Everton is a club with a great structure and a lot of tradition, historically the fourth most successful club in England. When I found out about this opportunity and what the manager wanted out of me I was happy.

"That is why I made my choice, because of the confidence both the manager and the club showed in me. I did not need any convincing to come here. I believe I will be able to show my best as a player here.

"I can promise I will try my hardest and dedicate myself to my work and to trying to make things happen for Everton. This is an ambitious club which is aiming to achieve real success with Marco Silva's ideas and the new players coming in."

Silva added: "Bernard is a quick player, very good technically and he can play on the left or right wings and as an offensive midfield player behind the striker.

"He has experience of playing in the Champions League for Shakhtar Donetsk for the past five years and the fact he has 14 caps for Brazil is a further reflection of his quality."

Bernard, who will wear the number 20 shirt on Merseyside, is eligible to make his debut in Everton's Premier League opener against newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.