Everton complete €18m deal for striker Oumar Niasse

Mathieu Debuchy and Steven Fletcher both secure loan deals to French clubs

Everton unveil new signing Oumar Niasse at Finch Farm in Halewood, England. Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images
Everton unveil new signing Oumar Niasse at Finch Farm in Halewood, England. Photograph: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images

Everton have completed the €18million signing of Lokomotiv Moscow striker Oumar Niasse.

The 25-year-old Senegal international has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal after completing a medical and agreeing personal terms, having arrived at the club’s Finch Farm training ground earlier in the day.

“It’s a great day for me, a big dream to play in the Premier League and a big dream to play for Everton,” he told evertontv.

“Everton is one of the best teams in the Premier League and the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world.

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“I know Everton is one of the big clubs here in England with history, the fans and the great players, so I’m very excited and happy to be here.

“I started to watch Everton more since the beginning of October because I had heard about their interest.

“I was interested to see how they play and how they have good young players. If you see players who are aged 20 or 21 and see them perform like that, you know you have a good coach.

“The manager has said exactly what he wants. He believes I can be a player who can add something to the team.”

Meanwhile Arsenal misfit Mathieu Debuchy is on his way out of the Emirates Stadium with the Gunners announcing the France full-back has moved to Bordeaux on loan for the rest of the season.

Debuchy moved to north London from Newcastle but his first season with Arsene Wenger’s men was hampered by ankle and shoulder injuries, both of which required surgery.

He has been unable to dislodge first choice right-back Hector Bellerin this term and will now hope a move to Ligue 1 allows him to gain first-team opportunities ahead of Euro 2016.

Arsenal said on their official website: “Everyone at Arsenal wishes Mathieu well for his time with the Girondins.”

Elsewhere Scotland and Sunderland attacker Steven Fletcher has joined Olympique de Marseille on loan until the end of the season.