Morgan Schneiderlin has moved to Everton from Manchester United in a £20 million (€23 million) deal which could rise to £24 million (€27 million) and declared his determination to get the club back “where it belongs”.
The 27-year-old France international has been reunited with Ronald Koeman, under whom he flourished while the pair were at Southampton.
“Everton is a big club in the history of English football,” Schneiderlin said. “I’ve always loved the atmosphere in the stadium. I’ve always liked playing here. I can’t wait to play and to represent this great club.
“There is a manager in place here that I know, I know he can get the best out of me, I know his style and how he likes to play football. He was very good with me from the start and I enjoyed playing football under him.
“He was very good for me and, obviously, he was a massive player in his playing days and you can only learn from the best. At Southampton he gave me some great advice to keep improving every day and it was a pleasure to work with him.
“We spoke since the time I knew Everton would be interested. I know his ambition and why he came here. He believes in this project and I do, too. We are trying to achieve something here and this is what I am here for. I know the fans have big expectations and we’ll do everything to make them come true.
“When I spoke with the manager and the people in place at Everton I understood immediately that they have a very good project for the future of the football club. I just want to play football. I want to put my print on this club and do everything to get Everton where it belongs.”
Initial campaign
Schneiderlin was signed for United by Louis van Gaal for £25 million (€29 million) from Southampton in July 2015. After starting 25 Premier League games and making four substitute appearances during his initial campaign at United, Schneiderlin has been limited to three brief substitute appearances in the league this season.
Koeman said of the signing: “I’m very pleased because I know the player, I know the qualities of the player, I know him as a person and he’s really desperate to come to Everton – and that’s what we need.
“We want good players but we also want players who really want to show their qualities in front of the fans of Everton.
“He’s a strong character. I worked with him for one season at Southampton and he’s a midfield player who can play in different positions in the midfield. He’s also a fast player, he’s a clever player and he’s a personality. Normally, he’s part of the French national team and at 27 years old he’s part of the future at Everton.
“Morgan is really hungry to show his qualities and to play because that is the best thing for a football player. You are born as a football player to play games, not to sit on the bench or not be part of the team. But this is a new step, it’s a new future and he will show his qualities. I am convinced of that.”
In December, Jose Mourinho confirmed he would not stand in Schneiderlin’s way if the player wished to leave Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football and United received an offer that matched the club’s valuation.
Marouane Fellaini, meanwhile, has been handed a one-year contract extension in order stop the midfielder leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer.
Contract expires
Despite a somewhat erratic time at Old Trafford following his arrival from Everton in 2013, Fellaini is seen by José Mourinho as part of United’s future and there has been interest in the player from abroad, with Milan believed to be among the clubs monitoring his availability.
The 29-year-old Belgian’s contract expires at the end of the season but United have exercised an option to extend it by 12 months.
Fellaini, who scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 victory against Hull City in the first leg of their English League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, signed a four-year contract containing the option of a further year when he joined the club from Everton in a £27.5 million (€31 million) deal in 2013.
Arsenal have announced forward Olivier Giroud, midfielder Francis Coquelin and defender Laurent Koscielny have all agreed new contract extensions.
France striker Giroud (30) has returned to the side in recent weeks to score four goals in as many appearances, including his scorpion kick effort in the win over Crystal Palace.
Coquelin, 25, has developed into a key member of the first-team squad following his return from a loan at Charlton in December 2014 while centre-back Koscielny has proved a consistent performer since joining from Lorient in July 2010.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the contract extensions are just reward for each of the players' own hard work. – (Guardian service)
