Yannick Bolasie admits mate Romelu Lukaku had been trying to lure him to Everton for years
Everton paid £25million for Bolasie earlier this week, a move that the player has been waiting for years
YANNICK BOLASIE announced his arrival at Everton by admitting: Romelu Lukaku has been trying to get me here for years.
Bolasie moved to Goodison from Crystal Palace for an initial £25 millioin, and will become their record signing if clauses take it up another £5m.
The Congo winger is a close pal of Lukaku, and he revealed how the Toffees striker has long insisted he should come to Merseyside.
Bolasie, 27, said: “I know Rom from ages ago, and he’s been saying for ages to come here.
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“To be honest last year I probably wouldn’t have been ready - but this year I feel I am.
“It’s a big step for me, because I had got used to things at Palace and it’s a club close to my heart.
“So it was a difficult decision but at the same time a no-brainer because I know about the players here and the quality they have.”
Bolasie’s will-he-stay, will-he-go situation at Palace meant he didn’t feature greatly in their pre-season, meaning an immediate Everton debut at West Brom on Saturday is unlikely.
Yet once he does pull on a blue shirt, he doesn’t intend to waste time before making his mark.
And he reckons that the added quality around Goodison wll make him an even tougher opponent to shackle.
He added: “I am trying to settle in really quickly, and it’s a different system to Palace, but once I do I think I will hit the ground running.
“I have not really played much in pre-season but I am getting sharper. And I don’t think I will change how I play,
“I will just get the ball in better areas and cause much more damage than I would in the past.
“The price tag hasn’t really hit me though. I am just here to play football and don’t put pressure on myself like that. I have come here to enjoy the game.”