Jack Harrison says he is excited to be on the other side of the intimidating Goodison Park atmosphere now that he is an Everton player following his season-long loan switch from Leeds United.
The 26-year-old was formally unveiled on the club’s media channels today after the recruitment team mobilised to get the deal over the line on Sunday in the face of competition from Aston Villa.
Everton had made Harrison a top transfer target at the end of last season following Leeds’s relegation from the Premier League but had to bide their time while the player assessed his options over the summer.
The Blues activated a clause in his contract at Elland Road that allows them to take him on loan for the season and make the move permanent should they wish to during the course of the campaign.
Villa, meanwhile, were said to be seeking a signing who could play immediately and may have cooled their interest based on the hip injury Harrison has been carrying that looks likely to sideline him until after next month’s international break. He is already back on the grass doing running drills at Finch Farm and sources closer to Yorkshire suggest that Harrison had already been convinced by what the Blues were offering him regardless of the interest from the Midlands.
“It’s a pleasure to get the deal over the line. I’m really excited to be here,” Harrison told evertontv. “The general feeling from the club has been super positive so I’m just hoping to get back fit soon and be back out on the pitch.
“It’s a massive club. I remember coming to Goodison Park and I always hated coming here because of the fans and the atmosphere that the people bring so I’m excited to be on the other side of that and a part of it, and to hopefully bring something they can cheer about as well.
“Everton expressed their interest right from the beginning and that was definitely valuable. You always want to be around good people and that’s the impression I got here straight away.
“From the beginning, the manager expressed how much he wanted me. It was a difficult period last season but, after speaking with people, the club is in a really positive position and heading in the right direction.
“I know the first game [against Fulham] was unfortunate but there was a lot of good things that came out of that game and I’m hoping to contribute to that.
“Speaking with everyone here, experiencing what it’s like at the club and the [training] facility really emphasised that so I’m super excited and just ready to get going.”