Everton transfer news 2015: Gerard Deulofeu joins Blues permanently

Wikipedia

Winger Gerard Deulofeu finally has a permanent club after Everton signed him to a three-year, £4.2 million deal with an option for another year and will be joining the club on July 1.

Deulofeu was with Everton during the 2013-14 season via loan from Barcelona and last season found himself again on loan for Sevilla.

In his first stint with the Blues, the 21-year-old had 29 appearances and Everton manager Roberto Martinez said about the deal through their website, "Gerard needs no introduction to anyone here at Everton, for we are all well aware of his incredible footballing talent.

"We got to know him really well from his loan period, not only as such a talented player but also his great character. He will be a fantastic asset to our club," he added.

Martinez also spoke about Deulofeu's maturity after spending time with Sevilla last season.

"We are getting an even more mature player now than he was a couple of seasons ago and a player who considers Everton as home. This is why we are incredibly excited to have him back here on a permanent basis and to encourage him to grow, develop and mature his enormous talent," Matinez stated according to ESPN.

Meanwhile Deulofeu tweeted, "I'm back! Once a blue, always a blue!"

Barcelona announced the agreement reached with Everton through a statement on their website and also explained the buy-back clause included in the deal.

"The contract includes a release clause if Barcelona make an offer to Everton meeting certain requirements. FC Barcelona also have a right of first refusal if Everton decide to sell the player," the statement read.

Deulofeu is the second signing for the Blues after the club inked midfielder Tom Cleverley to a five-year deal via free transfer from Manchester United earlier this month.

"Our objective was to secure Tom and Gerard as quickly as we could and I'm really pleased this is exactly what we've done," Martinez said according to ESPN.

He added, "Having done this now, we will have more time over the remainder of the window to carry on strengthening our squad, which is already strong, and we will use this time ahead of us well."