Everton have confirmed the signing of Theo Walcott. The former Arsenal winger had a medical at the club on Tuesday and has now joined the Toffees on a three and a half year deal.
He has said in a statement that he hopes to help the club push for the next level.
“I’m very ambitious and I’ve come here because I want the Club to push to the next level,” he said in a club statement. “And with the players that have come in, I feel like the next level can be reached.
“I’m very excited to be starting a new chapter and I felt this was the right place for me to be. There’s something about this move which I’ve just felt good about.
“It felt like it was time for me to move on [from Arsenal]. It was sad but it’s exciting at the same time and I want to reignite my career and push Everton to win things as they have done before.”
Meanwhile, manager Sam Allardyce has praised the winger’s signing saying his experience would help the team.
“I’m thrilled we’ve been able to secure a player of Theo’s experience and quality,” he said in a club statement.
“There was a bit of a chase between a couple of clubs but I think after we set out the ambitions of the club and my ambitions for him he was motivated to come here and refreshed in his mind by the new challenge he can put upon himself.
“We’ve brought him here because of his experience with Arsenal, playing Champions League football and fighting to get into Champions League positions and winning FA Cups – and he’s got a lot of ambition to take off again with his career.
“He’s in his prime, too, and I’m just delighted we’ve got him.”
The England international is reported to have cost Everton £25 million. He will wear the number 11 jersey vacated by Kevin Mirallas, who is on loan at Olympiacos.
The 28-year-old is a product of the Southampton Academy and started his career with Southampton before joining Arsenal for £5 million in 2006. He emerged the Gunners’ top scorer in the 2012-13 season and has scored more than 100 goals for the club.
