Everton sign Ben Godfrey in £25m transfer from Norwich as defender relishes chance to link up with ‘world-class’ squad
EVERTON have signed Norwich centre-back Ben Godfrey for a reported £25million.
The England Under-21 international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Goodison Park.
Godfrey, 22, starred for the Canaries last season and he arrives in the north west as Everton's fifth signing of the transfer window.
The York born star - who will wear shirt No 22 because of his age - told the Toffees' website: "It is an honour to sign for Everton and to be part of a huge club.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.
“The aim for me at Everton is to win trophies and win games. I like to win. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I care and I am a passionate lad.
“The fans can guarantee they will get 110 per cent out of me when I am on the pitch.
"This is a club full of history that has an exciting team full of world-class players who will help me kick on to the next level.
"I am looking forward to working with them and, hopefully, having great times with Everton Football Club.
“Carlo Ancelotti, Marcel Brands and the board want success for the club and it is really exciting to be here.
“The manager’s past speaks for itself. He has worked with some top-class centre-backs.
"I will be able to learn so much from him and he is going to help me get to that next level, which is where I want to be.”
Godfrey played 33 times in all competitions for Norwich last season - with only a torn knee ligament midway through the campaign preventing him for playing more.
And he follows James Rodriguez, Niels Nkounkou, Allan, and Abdoulaye Doucoure through the door at Goodison.