Everton sign Ben Godfrey from Norwich on five-year contract in transfer worth around £25m

The defender, who will wear shirt No 22, will add competition to the centre-back position but can play in a variety of roles

New Everton signing Ben Godfrey (Everton FC)

Everton have completed the deadline day signing of highly rated young defender Ben Godfrey from Norwich City in a transfer worth around £25m. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the early Premier League leaders.

Godfrey will bring competition to the centre-back positions, where Colombian international Yerry Mina and England’s Michael Keane have begun the season as Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred pairing, while Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite are still working their way back to fitness. Godfrey can also play at right-back and in central midfield.

“It is an honour to sign for Everton and to be part of a huge club,” Godfrey said. “I am very thankful for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. “The aim for me at Everton is to win trophies and win games. I like to win. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I care and I am a passionate lad. The fans can guarantee they will get 110 per cent out of me when I am on the pitch.

“This is a club full of history that has an exciting team full of world-class players who will help me kick on to the next level. I am looking forward to working with them and, hopefully, having great times with Everton Football Club.

“Carlo Ancelotti, Marcel Brands and the board want success for the club and it is really exciting to be here. The manager’s past speaks for itself. He has worked with some top-class centre-backs. I will be able to learn so much from him and he is going to help me get to that next level, which is where I want to be.”

Godfrey is Everton’s fourth major signing of the window after the arrivals of Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Rodriguez and Allan. He will now link up with the England U21s before joining his new Everton teammates ahead of a potential debut against Liverpool in the Merseyside debut on 17 October. 

“I like to bring pace to the game. I like to play out from the back,” added Godfrey. “I can play in a range of positions: left or right as a centre-back, I have played full-back and holding midfield. I will play wherever the manager sees fit as I absolutely trust his opinion.

“I have played at Goodison a few times for my previous club.  It is an intimidating place to come when you are an away team. To have that support behind you on a game day will give you that extra yard, that extra 10 per cent, and I can’t wait to get out and play in front of the fans when they are able to return.

“I’m ready and raring to go. We have the international break now but I will come back after that and it will be time for work.”