Everton sign Ashley Williams on 3 year deal
Everton have announced the signing of Ashley Williams on a three year deal.
Everton have announced the signing of Ashley Williams on a three year deal.
The Wales defender has joined from Swansea for an undisclosed fee. It's a day following the sale of John Stones to Manchester City.
The Blues have moved swiftly to replace Stones, who was sold for ÂŁ47.5million to Manchester City on Tuesday, by acquiring Williams, 31, for a fraction of the cost
Williams had spent eight years with the Swans and though they rejected Everton's initial advances for him, the Welshman's desire to move to Merseyside saw the South Wales outfit relent.
Williams said: “I’ve had eight great years at Swansea and, for me, the new challenge was something I felt I needed, so I’m delighted to have joined Everton.
“Everton is a great club with an unbelievable manager - a world legend in football - and I believe the Club is going in the right direction. This is something I wanted to be a part of.
“I look forward to seeing what the manager’s plans are for me and the team. He’s been one of the greatest centre-halves to ever play the game, so I look forward to learning from him and seeing what he can teach me.
Blues boss Ronald Koeman said: “We wanted to bring in a strong player in the central defence position, a player who knows the Premier League and Ashley fits the bill for us very well.
“He is an experienced defender and the kind of player we need in the team. He is a leader. He showed this at Swansea and he has shown it for his country and he is looking forward to his new challenge here at Everton.”