Everton complete £40m signing of Richarlison from Watford

Richarlison impressed under Silva at Watford during the opening stages of last season

Everton have completed the signing of Richarlison from Watford, the first of Marco Silva’s reign as manager.

Richarlison, who was signed by Silva at Watford last summer, underwent a successful medical on Monday and arrives at Goodison Park on a five-year contract.

The deal, totalling £40m, will not surpass Everton’s current transfer record – Gylfi Sigurdsson’s £45m arrival from Swansea City last year.

Richarlison impressed in the early part of last season having joined from Fluminense, scoring five goals in his first 13 appearances.

The 21-year-old’s form dipped last winter, however, as speculation over Silva’s future at Vicarage Road grew.

The Brazilian has failed to find the net since, with his last goal coming in a 2-0 victory over West Ham on 19 November.

Silva has nevertheless remained an admirer of Richarlison and will hope his first Everton recruit helps address the squad’s need for a left-sided attacking player.

“I want to have a lot of success with Everton,” Richarlison told Everton’s official website. ”I think it is going to be important for me here to be with Marco Silva again. I will learn more because I am still learning as a player and I aim to develop and grow here.

“Everton have put their faith in me and I intend to honour this shirt and demonstrate on the pitch why I came here.

“I’ve known the manager for a while obviously, so I know how he works,” he added on Silva. “I developed really well with him while he was with me at Watford. It was really good working with him and one day I believe he can help me to be selected for Brazil in the full national team.

“But that is for the future and my present is here with Everton. I want my dreams to become a reality here at one of the biggest clubs in England.”