Former Sheffield United hero's first words as return to Premier League confirmed
Former Sheffield United favourite Iliman Ndiaye’s time at Marseille has come to an end
Former Sheffield United hero Iliman Ndiaye has spoken for the first time after his move to Everton from Marseille was confirmed on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old, who has joined for a reported £15million, has signed a five-year deal with the Toffees.
The Senegal international only left Bramall Lane last summer, just before the start of what would be his first Premier League campaign, to join his boyhood club but the move has been far from a success.
Ndiaye was unable to produce the form that help the Blades back into the top flight, with changes in management throughout the campaign not doing much to help his cause.
Everton had shown interest in signing the forward in the past and now they have got their man.
“I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” he said. “The main reasons I wanted to join were how big the club is, its history and the part I can play in helping the team in the forward direction it is going in. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going.
“Kevin [Thelwell, Director of Football] and the manager both spoke to me and made me feel wanted. My Senegal teammate Idrissa also played a part and spoke highly of the club and a lot of good things.
“As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit.
“I'm so excited. I want to come in and carry on from the team’s progress last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table.”
Ndiaye went on to set an ambition to become the first Everton player to score at their new stadium, which they are set to move into next season.
“It’s funny because someone said to me, ‘Imagine you scoring the first goal at the new stadium.’ It would be a quiz question for so long, ‘Who scored the first goal for Everton at the new stadium?’
“At that moment, my daughter, who can’t really talk yet, said, ‘Dada’! Great answer! That’s my target. I’ll be very proud to be part of the last season to play Goodison Park, too. There’s history here. I’m really happy to now be part of that.
“I’m so excited to play in front of all these fans because when you watch the games, you hear them on the TV. I’ll try to get them off their seats and they will try to push me on the pitch to get them off their seats. I’m just so excited.”
Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created.
“He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.”