Everton Complete £18m Lucas Digne Signing from Barcelona

Toffees land second signing of the summer as France international joins Goodison Park-based outfit

Everton have confirmed the capture of Lucas Digne on a five-year deal.

The club’s official website unveiled the ex-Barcelona star as a Toffees player on Wednesday morning in an £18m transfer.

Digne had undergone a medical on Merseyside on Tuesday afternoon ahead of his switch and, with no complications found, shook hands on his move to Goodison Park.

The France international will remain in L4 until the summer of 2023 and becomes the second signing of the Marco Silva era.

Digne described Everton as a “big club with a great history” in his first interview with EvertonTV, and vowed to show his “best football here”.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Roma player was the subject of stern interest from the Blues for almost a month before he joined their ranks.

Everton had been locked in talks with Barcelona over a possible swoop, despite the Catalan giants not being eager to let him go.

However, after Marcel Brands flew out to Catalonia to discuss the deal last week, a compromise was reached that allowed Everton to snap him up.

Digne follows Richarlison in signing for Everton under new boss Silva, and the Portuguese boss revealed why he was so keen to lure the 25-year-old to the Premier League.

Silva stated that the player’s “enormous desire” to move to Merseyside was a huge factor in wanting to get the deal over the line.

And the 41-year-old believes that Digne’s “good technical ability” will be a key component of his side going forward.

Digne will compete with Leighton Baines for the left-back berth in Silva’s starting lineup.

The position had been identified as needing improvement under Silva after Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce had failed to address it.

Baines should start the season as first choice but, with the veteran defender turning 34 this year, Digne is viewed as his long-term successor and may feature in his fair share of matches once he’s up to speed.