The protracted signing of 19-year-old Sporting forward Youssef Chermiti was finally completed today in an initial €15m deal that runs through the next four years to 2027.
Much of the delay in completing his signing has been put down to bureaucratic issues related to securing his work permit, rather than the oft-mooted failure to agree terms either with the player or between the clubs involved in the transaction.
Everton were said to be ‘rushing’ today to secure his registration with the Premier League in time for tomorrow’s game against Fulham but the likelihood that he would play is vanishingly small.
He has been given the Number 28 shirt last worn by Cenk Tosun. He gave his reaction to the move in an interview with the official Everton website:
“It’s a big move for me. Joining Everton is a new beginning, a new page and I’m very happy to be here. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful club,” Chermiti said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, my new teammates and to get to work with the coach. I want to embrace everything about the Club. I hope the fans will like me and I want to show them what I am capable of.
“Everton is a big club. A lot of legends have played here. I couldn’t turn down this opportunity.”
Though only a year into his professional career, Chermiti is regarded as a hot prospect by many observers in his native country. He broke into Sporting’s senior squad last season and played 22 times, scoring three goals.
While Everton’s Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, is believed to be pursuing additional attacking targets, he had made Chermiti a priority after a move for El Bilal Toure fell through last month, the forward opting to sign instead for Atalanta in Italy from Spanish side Almeria.