Jean-Philippe Gbamin spoke of his excitement to join ambitious Everton and vowed to “give everything on the pitch” for fans after moving to the Club from Mainz 05 for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has signed a five-year deal with the Blues until the end of June 2024 and becomes Everton’s fourth summer addition after fellow midfielders Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph and keeper Jonas Lössl.
The Ivory Coast international, who has nine caps for his country, revealed the emotion of joining the Blues and the qualities he will bring to Marco Silva’s team.
“I’ve joined a big club like Everton, it’s a big moment with a lot of emotion,” Gbamin told evertontv. “Now it’s on me to prove on the pitch why they bought me.
“I’m excited because Everton is a great club here in England with a big history with ambition so I didn’t think for more than a moment - I wanted to come here.
“I can’t wait to play at Goodison Park. I’m really excited to start with the team, with everybody. I will, with the help of the manager and all the staff, make myself ready.
“I like to go in the duels. I like to run a lot and tackle. I also pass good and have a good transition. All the rest, fans will see.
“This is my job. I will give everything for the fans on the pitch.”
👋 | Good evening, Blues... pic.twitter.com/ryZFnKLcNo
— Everton (@Everton) August 2, 2019
Gbamin represented the Ivory Coast at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He had previously played for France at age-group level, featuring for every Les Bleus team from Under-18s to Under-21s.
The athletic, skilful central midfielder, who can also play as a centre-back, made a total 95 appearances for Mainz, having joined the club from French team RC Lens in 2016.
Born in San Pedro, Ivory Coast, Gbamin moved to northern France as a young boy. Having honed his skills at the Lens academy, Gbamin made his professional debut for the club in May 2013 aged 17.
Moving to Mainz in 2016, he was a near ever-present over his three seasons with the German side, with his status in the team underlined when manager Sandro Schwarz handed him the captain’s armband for their Bundesliga clash with Hannover in April 2019.
Gbamin added: “The manager [Marco Silva] said I can help the Club to grow, like every player. So I will come here with my style of play and try to help the team.
“I think he will help me a lot in every aspect of football - tactical, physical and technical. I think it’s the right choice.
“[Director of Football] Marcel Brands was a great influence on me, too. He found the right words to make me more confident about coming here and this is why I did.
“We have a big ambition. I took the right decision for me to come here. I will work hard for this.”
