Andre Gomes will wear 21 on the back of his Everton shirt in the 2019/20 season, with new signing Fabian Delph becoming the Blues’ number eight.

Gomes has chosen a squad number with personal significance, having also worn the 21 shirt at previous clubs Valencia and Barcelona.

The Portuguese midfielder wore eight during his season on loan at Goodison Park in 2018/19. The vacated eight shirt will now be filled by Delph, the Toffees’ third signing this summer.

Delph completed his transfer to Everton on Monday, signing a three-year contract with the Blues.

“The number 21 is a special number for me,” Gomes explained. “When I left Benfica, I wore it at Valencia and that was my first experience outside of Portugal. That was a big change for me and everyone in my family knows that personal meaning.

“I also had the same number at Barcelona, so over a total of four years at two different clubs.

“I really like the number, I wanted to keep the number and I’m now looking forward to having it on the back of my Everton shirt.”

The 2019/20 numbers will be released officially on the Club website evertonfc.com on 9 August ahead of the Blues' Premier League campaign kick-off the following day at Crystal Palace.

Other than 2019/20 numbers confirmed on evertonfc.com for new signings - as with Gomes and Delph - any numbered kit worn by players in training or pre-season matches shouldn’t necessarily be taken as confirmation of their squad number for the upcoming Premier League season until this date.

Fans who have already pre-ordered ‘Gomes 8’ on the reverse of their 2019/20 home shirt will now receive a shirt printed ‘Gomes 21’. Due to this change, supporters are advised there may be a slight delay to the scheduled delivery date of these shirts. Any fans who receive a ‘Gomes 8’ shirt are advised to return the shirt following the return guidelines within the packaging and they will receive a ‘Gomes 21’ shirt at no additional charge.

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