Everton confirm Bolasie capture

Everton have confirmed the signing of winger Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace on a five-year deal.

Bolasie joined Palace in 2012 and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League for the 2013-14 season.

Amid reports linking him with a move to Goodison Park, the 27-year-old was a second-half substitute in the 1-0 defeat to West Brom at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

An ineffectual performance prompted Alan Pardew to claim his “heart and soul” may no longer be with the club, and the winger’s switch was confirmed on Monday for a fee believed to be in the region of £30million.

Bolasie is in line to make his debut at the weekend – coincidentally also against West Brom.

Bolasie called the decision to move to Merseyside a “no-brainer”, praising Everton’s ambition as well as manager Ronald Koeman.

CONFIRMED: We have signed @YannickBolasie from Crystal Palace on a five-year deal. # Bo14sieIsABlue https ://t.co/VsfD7JtkYl

— Everton (@Everton) August 15, 2016

“I’m looking forward to putting on the Everton shirt. This is a big club and I know all about it from having played against them over the years,” he told Everton TV.

“For me, it was a no-brainer to come here. But now that I’ve come to Everton, the job is not done. I’ve got to work hard and feel my way in. I’m ready and up for the challenge.

“It’s not about the money for me. It’s about looking at the ambition of the club and where they are trying to get to.

“I just like to play football and it’s going to be really interesting to learn from someone like Ronald Koeman, who was obviously a top centre-back as a player and he played with some of the best players in the world.

“The club has made good signings, players like Ashley Williams who I know well – and I know that I’ve joined a club that not only has lots of quality players but one that produces lots of quality players, like Ross Barkley, as well.

“This season is going to be very interesting and I’m looking forward to being part of it here at Everton.”

Koeman added: “Yannick is a player who has been a long time on my radar because he’s the type of winger I like – fast, strong and he can play different positions in the forward line. He’s a really good signing for the club.

“At 27, he’s a good age and he has experience in the Premier League. He will give strength to the team and I’m very pleased to have Yannick as part of what we are trying to build here at Everton.”