Everton have signed Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season.
The Netherlands international’s wages will be paid in full by the Toffees, who do not have an option to make his move permanent.
Crystal Palace and Valencia were also in talks to sign Van de Beek during the January transfer window, but he opted for a switch to Goodison Park.
Van de Beek declared himself fit and available for next Tuesday’s Premier League visit to Newcastle United, as he is cup-tied for Saturday’s match against with Brentford.
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Van de Beek says the appointment of Frank Lampard was the driving force behind his move.
“I had a really positive meeting with the new coach,” he said. “We have the same ideas about football and he had a lot of influence on my decision.
“I played against him when I was at Ajax, and he was at Chelsea [as manager], so he knows me as a player. He thinks I have qualities that can help the team. I can learn a lot from him because he was a little bit in the same position – a midfield player who scored a lot of goals.
“He can help me a lot, so I think I’m in a good spot. I want to improve with Everton. There are always things that can be better and I work hard every day to do that.”
He added: “I want to show my qualities, my strengths, to the people in England – but especially the fans from Everton.”
Palace began negotiations with United after Dennis Bergkamp – the father of Van de Beek’s partner – triggered talks.
ALSO READ:Van de Beek completes Everton medical
Valencia were also in discussions with United over the 24-year-old, but there were doubts about whether the Spanish side could cover his salary.
Van de Beek struggled to break into the first team at Old Trafford since a £39m move from Ajax in the summer of 2020.
He was a largely peripheral figure under both current interim manager Ralf Rangnick and former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite a goalscoring debut for the club.