Everton have signed Spanish international midfielder Damaris Egurrola on a two-year deal following the expiration of her contract with Athletic Bilbao.
Egurrola, who celebrated her 21st birthday last Wednesday, becomes the Blues’ seventh acquisition of the summer and joins Everton after eight years at Bilbao.
Having joined the Basque club’s academy in 2012, Egurrola progressed through the ranks and made her senior debut as a 16-year-old in December 2015.
She would go on to make six first-team appearances in 2015/16 as Bilbao won the Primera Division for the fifth time.
A dynamic central midfielder, Egurrola established herself as an important player for Bilbao and played 20 matches in the shortened 2019/20 campaign, scoring two goals.
Everton manager Willie Kirk said: "When the chance to sign Damaris was presented to me, it was an opportunity we simply couldn’t turn down. It's another big signing for us and another sign of our ambition and intent.
"She is already at a very good level, shown by the fact she has been capped for the Spanish senior team at a young age, and her potential simply has no ceiling.
"She can be a world-class midfielder in the future and I’m excited to help her realise that potential.
"Damaris is very ambitious and is going to fit perfectly with the group of players we have assembled.
"She adds a nice balance to an already very talented midfield and gives us good options with her attributes and flexibility.
"Damaris is currently in quarantine and so by the time she joins the group she’ll be a bit behind everyone else, having missed all of our pre-season, but we’ll work with her over the coming weeks, and Everton fans will see her in action as soon as possible."
Florida-born Egurrola emigrated with her family to Spain aged seven.
She has featured for the Spanish national team at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-20 level before making her senior debut against Cameroon in May 2019.
Egurrola was part of the Spain team that won the 2017 Under-19s European Championships in Northern Ireland, scoring in a thrilling 3-2 final victory over France.
Her arrival at Everton further strengthens Kirk’s talented Blues squad.
During the summer transfer window, Everton have also signed England Under-21 international Poppy Pattinson, Norway defender Ingrid Moe Wold, Danish duo Rikke Sevecke and Nicoline Sorensen, France striker Valerie Gauvin and Scotland forward Claire Emslie.
