Klaassen Joins From Ajax
Davy Klaassen completed a ?27m move to Everton from Ajax and revealed how speaking to Ronald Koeman about the Club immediately left him with “a positive feeling”. The 24-year-old Netherlands international, an attacking midfielder, has signed a five-year contract with the Blues to June 2022.
He becomes Everton’s second summer signing, following the arrival of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from Sunderland for a Club-record fee earlier on Thursday.After making his debut for Ajax as an 18-year-old in 2011, Klaassen, a product of the Dutch club’s famed academy, went on to score 49 goals in 163 first-team appearances, spending his final two seasons at the Amsterdam Arena as captain.
He also helped the Dutch giants reach the final of the Europa League in Stockholm in May, where they lost to Manchester United.
Internationally, Klaassen has represented the Netherlands on 14 occasions since being handed his debut in a friendly against France in 2014, netting four goals.
“I’ve walked around the training ground and talked with a few people and it feels good,” Klaassen told evertontv.
“I spoke a few weeks ago with Ronald Koeman about Everton. I wanted to come here and check if this was the right club for me and since I came here I feel so happy. It’s a great club.
“The moment that I spoke with the manager directly I got a good feeling. He’s an honest guy, we talked about the Club, about the way he wants to play and that gave me a positive feeling.
“I talked to him about the Club and everything we want to achieve and he was really positive. It’s difficult to leave Ajax but I think this is a good step for me now and I’m really looking forward to my time here.”
Although part of the Ajax squads that won the Eredivisie in 2011/12 and 2012/13, Klaassen managed only a handful of appearances in those campaigns.
However, his breakthrough season arrived in 2013/14 as he contributed 11 goals and three assists on the way to his side securing another Dutch crown. His performances also saw him named Dutch Football Talent of the Year.
A further eight goals would arrive in 2014/15 as Ajax finished runners-up to PSV, before he was made skipper at the start of 2015/16.
Again, PSV would pip Ajax to the title but Klaassen’s 13 goals and eight assists saw him voted Dutch Footballer of the Year, a prize previously won by the likes of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp and Ronald Koeman.
However, last season was Klaassen’s most prolific yet as he bagged 14 league goals, as well as a crucial Europa League quarter-final brace against Schalke.
“I’m an attacking midfielder player who likes to get in the box,” he said. “I also like to be aggressive on the field and press all the time. I like to score and create goals and I like to win.
“I want us to get better and better as a team and we will see where we go, but I have a good feeling about it.”
Koeman added: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring Davy to Everton.
“He’s a player who is only 24 but has a lot of experience and is a leader on the pitch. He has already captained Ajax for two seasons and that shows you the type of person he is.
“He is hardworking, likes to press and, of course, will give us more creativity and goals.
“It is another major signing for Everton Football Club and I am really happy we have been able to complete the deal so early in the summer.”
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2017/06/15/klaassen
