Everton have confirmed the signing of Jesper Lindstrom on an initial season-long loan deal from Napoli. The deal also contains an option to buy the winger at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Jesper Lindstrom, 24, joined Napoli on a five-year deal from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. However, things didn’t go according to plan as the Denmark international failed to register a goal contribution in 22 league appearances for the Naples-based outfit.
The Toffees have given the 24-year-old a route to reignite his career, having paid Napoli a loan fee of around €3 million with an option to buy. If Lindstrom performs well for Sean Dyche’s side, they would need to splash out an extra €22m to sign him permanently next summer.
The ex-Eintracht Frankfurt star becomes Everton’s fifth summer signing after the acquisitions of Iliman Ndiaye, Omari Benjamin, Tim Iroegbunam and Jack Harrison, with the latter joining on another loan deal from Leeds United after impressing last season at Goodison Park.
Jesper Lindstrom’s first interview as Everton player
Upon signing for Everton, Lindstrom told the club’s official YouTube channel: “I feel very good. It’s amazing to represent Everton. This is a big club, with big history, a good stadium and, as I’ve seen, very good facilities as well. I’m very, very happy to be here and I feel like this is a good fit.
“I actually heard of Everton’s interest a while ago – not only from now but previously. England is very similar to Denmark so I will feel at home quickly. The people have been very nice and very humble. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
The Danish wide playmaker has also spoken to the Everton boss Sean Dyche to try and understand his style of play and ideas. Having had a chat with Dyche, the 24-year-old seems confident to showcase his speed and ability to the Goodison Park faithful.
“I’ve spoken to the manager. It sounds as though he likes the way I play football and I can be a good fit for the team with my speed, so now I want to deliver. I know he trusts me and that’s another reason I’m here – because I need that trust from the coach and I need trust from my teammates. I’m ready to show them I can help,” he added.
“I am 100 per cent ready. I’m so hungry. This pre-season feels long because I just want to play football, I just want to be out there in the stadium. Last year was a tough year for me but I’m so happy to be here now and I can’t wait to get started.”
A creative player with great speed, engine and technique, Lindstrom will be desperate to make an immediate impact at Everton and win over the fans after a torrid spell in Italy with Napoli. Dyche will be hoping to get the best out of the Dane to improve his side’s productivity in the final third in the upcoming season.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
