Joshua King is aiming to add speed, strength, power and dynamism to Everton’s squad – and admits Carlo Ancelotti’s invitation to aid the Club’s European bid was impossible to resist.
Forward King made his debut as a substitute in Everton’s win at Leeds United on Wednesday, 48 hours after completing a deadline-day transfer from Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old, who signed an initial deal keeping him at Goodison Park until the end of this campaign, is accomplished in any position across the frontline.
And he is convinced working under manager Ancelotti – who made a personal call to the player as Everton moved for King on Monday – will serve as a boon for his own game.
Everton are sixth in the Premier League standings, four points behind fourth position and holding fixtures in hand on every team above them.
“I got a phone call from the boss, Carlo Ancelotti, and [Director of Football] Marcel Brands,” King told evertontv.
"They kept it quite straight and said I would be given an opportunity and would have to work hard.
“They want me in the squad to help push for the Europa League and Champions League and we are in a good position now.
“I could not turn down playing for Everton and learning from a manager like Carlo, who has won what he has and with his experience. He is a big, big name in football.
“I am quick and powerful and strong and good at driving with the ball and known in the Premier League for having decent goalscoring statistics.
“I was thrilled getting my debut and just have to work hard and learn a lot.
“I can play in any of the front three positions and that helps the depth of the squad.
“I think I can improve as a player and I want to help the team in whatever way the manager sees fit.
King had a whirlwind two days after finalising his switch to Everton and met his new teammates directly before travelling to Leeds.
The Norwegian, who has 17 goals from 51 international appearances, trained with Ancelotti’s squad for the first time on Thursday – ahead of Saturday’s visit to King’s former club Manchester United.
He played 161 Premier League games for Bournemouth, scoring 48 times, and his recent form is sound, with three goals and two assists from four starts in January.
King is confident of quickly getting up to speed for Ancelotti, then, and eager to link up with the potent Everton forward trio of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, James Rodriguez and Richarlison.
“This squad is full of amazing talent… that front three is as good as any in the league when they are on top form,” said King.
“It is a pleasure to be joining them and the other players to try to fight for the Club and get Everton higher in the table and playing in bigger competitions.
“I have been training for months, I feel good.
“It will be good to get a training session today with the lads and again tomorrow, then we have United on Saturday.
“I have played in the Premier League, I know a few of the players here and it shouldn’t be hard settling in.”
King came to England with Manchester United when he was 16, joining from Valerenga in home city Oslo.
He was a colleague of Everton defender Michael Keane at Old Trafford and again at Blackburn Rovers, where King had two-and-a-half years between United and Bournemouth.
King scored and produced a forceful frontrunning performance on his most recent visit to Goodison – when Bournemouth won on the final day of last season.
“I had a very good game and I think that is one of the reasons I am sat here today,” added King.
“I think the manager has seen what I can do when I am in good form.
“I am here to work and help the team.
“The lads have all been welcoming me and the training ground is amazing.
“You look forward to coming to work every day because we have all the facilities we need.
“I am really looking forward to the next chapter of my career, then we will see what happens in the summer.”
