Everton news: Morgan Schneiderlin joins Toffees on four-and-a-half-year deal

The Frenchman departs Manchester United after 18 months at the club and will be reunited with former boss Ronald Koeman

Morgan Schneiderlin has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Everton for a fee rising to £24m.

The Frenchman departs Manchester United after 18 months at the club and will be reunited with former boss Ronald Koeman.

Schneiderlin moved to Old Trafford for £25m in the summer of 2015 but after one season under Louis van Gaal he fell out of favour when Jose Mourinho took over for the current campaign,

The 27-year-old has made just eight appearances under the Portuguese, and only three in the Premier League as a substitute, and Koeman is hopeful the move to Goodison Park will bring out the best in the midfielder as he puts his Mourinho nightmare behind him.

"Morgan is really hungry to show his qualities and to play because that is the best thing for a football player," said the Dutchman.

"You are born as a football player to play games, not to sit on the bench or not be part of the team.

"But this is a new step, it's a new future and he will show his qualities. I am convinced of that."

Schneiderlin said he wanted to move to "a club with big ambition and great expectations" and insisted he is "hungry as ever and (ready) to eat football again".

"There is a manager in place here that I know, I know he can get the best out of me, I know his style and how he likes to play football," he said.

"He was very good with me from the start and I enjoyed playing football under him.

"He was very good for me and, obviously, he was a massive player in his playing days and you can only learn from the best.

"At Southampton he gave me some great advice to keep improving every day and it was a pleasure to work with him.

"We spoke since the time I knew Everton would be interested. I know his ambition and why he came here.

"He believes in this and I do, too. We are trying to achieve something here and this is what I am here for.

Schneiderlin in training with Memphis Depay (Getty Images)

"I just want to play football. I want to put my print on this club and do everything to get Everton where it belongs.

"I know the fans have big expectations and we'll do everything to make them come true."

The Toffees have already signed 19-year-old forward Ademola Lookman from Charlton for £11m and agreed a £10.4m fee with Standard Liege for Algeria forward Ishak Belfodil.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley has also left to join fellow Premier League side Watford on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to buy.