Everton transfer news: Demarai Gray joins Toffees for £1.6m after six-month Bayer Leverkusen spell

Everton have signed Demarai Gray from Bayer Leverkusen for around £1.6m, bringing an end to his brief spell in the Bundesliga.

Gray arrived in Florida, where Everton are holding a pre-season training camp, to undergo a medical on Thursday.

The 25-year-old winger has signed a three-year deal with the Toffees, who have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

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Gray told evertontv that new Toffees boss Rafa Benitez was a key reason for his decision to move to Goodison Park, saying: “I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m excited to play with the team and get to work.

“Speaking to the manager and [director of football] Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.

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“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won in the past, is important and we’ll look to push forward and compete with the top clubs. I think a club of this magnitude has all the potential to be right up there.

“Everton are a very big club and the main objective is to be pushing and competing back up there in the table. I want to work hard on the training pitch and work my hardest for the club on the pitch.”

Gray only joined Leverkusen in January after a five-year spell with Leicester, and went on to record one goal and two assists in 12 appearances for the club.

The former England U21 international – who won the Premier League with the Foxes in 2016 – will wear the No 11 shirt at Everton.

Gray added: “I want to push on, be a pivotal player in the squad, help the team score goals and assist goals. I feel like I’m at a period in my career now where I can put everything together and achieve the targets I have set for myself.

“With the ability I know I have and the belief in myself, I can help this team.”

Gray will now join the Everton squad training in Orlando ahead of the pre-season friendly against Colombian side Millonarios on Sunday night.

He is Benitez’s third signing since he replaced Carlo Ancelotti, following the arrivals of Asmir Begovic and Andros Townsend.

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