Joshua King says he is feeling a “big club vibe” with Everton – and coming to the Club on the cusp of his prime footballing years.
Forward King joined Everton from Bournemouth on transfer deadline day this month.
He could make a Goodison Park debut when Everton host Fulham on Sunday – and the 29-year-old spoke exclusively to the Club's matchday programme for that fixture.
King, who has played 51 times for Norway, talks engagingly and candidly on a range of issues, including the bank of tattoos depicting black icons on his back.
The 29-year-old recently added an image of Rosa Parks, the American civil rights activist, to those of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Bob Marley.
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King counts himself fortunate he grew up shielded from racism attending a cosmopolitan school – but “felt how people treated you differently” as he began travelling beyond the Oslo suburb of Romsas where the player grew up.
“I see it to this day with my friends when I am home, I am more aware now,” said King, talking in a week the Premier League introduced a six-point No Room For Racism Action Plan to promote equality and diversity in the sport.
“If I went with them to expensive clothes shops, security would follow us because they saw five black boys wandering around.
“I see how people are judged… without knowing where they come from or what they’ve been through.
“It’s so sad we still see racism in 2021. It is hard to explain how it makes me feel… hard to talk about.
“I am going to do everything I can to protect my children from racism, as much as possible.
“I just wish racism was deleted from earth, it doesn’t matter what colour you are, everyone is equal.
“It is nothing I can change, everyone has to come together and treat others equally.
“But, sadly, I don’t think that is going to happen in the near future.”
King lifts the lid on the circumstances around his move to Everton in the programme feature.
The former Manchester United player relives his time at Old Trafford and three loans in two years – including one he viewed as a “nightmare”.
King played 161 Premier League games and scored 48 goals for Bournemouth after joining from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2015.
He’s made two appearances from the bench for his new club – against Leeds United and Manchester United – before a clear week of training ahead of Fulham’s visit.
“I just saw myself in that royal blue jersey,” said King on learning of Everton’s interest.
“There have been some hectic days since I signed but I am finally settled.
“Training with the lads, you see the quality… it is just, I don’t know, different, a different vibe.
“A big club vibe.
“I am coming into my prime.
“I take care of my body.
“If you train right, get enough sleep, eat healthily, I don’t see why you can’t go past the unwritten age limit.
“Living right is as important as training on the pitch.”
King continued: “This squad and Club are reaching and climbing and building something.
“I am eager to prove myself and to try to give the boss a reason to pick me.
“I feel ready and this week of training will do me good.
“I am focusing on working hard and trying to reach my top form as quickly as possible.
“Then we will see what happens in the summer.
“I am loving it and, of course, would love to stay but it has to be right for the Club and for me.”
Read the full interview with Joshua King in the matchday programme for Everton's meeting with Fulham on Sunday.
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