Nathan Patterson says joining Everton was the easiest decision of his young life – and the full-back insists he is primed for First-Team action.

Scotland international Patterson emerged from Rangers’ academy to play 27 games for the club he joined as an eight-year-old.

Sounded out about interest from Everton and manager Rafa Benitez, however, the 20-year-old set his heart on a move to Goodison Park.

Patterson even detoured for a first look at the Club’s 129-year-old stadium en route to completing transfer formalities at USM Finch Farm.

And after signing a five-and-a-half-year contract to keep him at Everton until at least June 2027, Patterson immediately began outlining short and long-term goals.

“I wanted to join Everton as soon as I heard there was interest and I am delighted to be here,” Patterson told evertontv.

“It was the easiest decision I have made.

“It was great knowing the manager really wanted me and that made my decision, to be honest.

“The first question he asked was, ‘Are you ready?’, which is a good sign.

“I am just really looking forward to working under him and can’t wait to get started.

“I make sure I am always fit and in good shape for anytime I am called on and I will be doing that in training.

“Hopefully, in the long-term I can nail that position and we can win some trophies and make the fans proud.

“When I came down, my agent and I drove past the stadium just to have a wee look and it looked brilliant.

“The atmosphere at Goodison Park is phenomenal. Every game I watch, the fans are crazy, and I am looking forward to playing in front of them.”

Patterson is aware of his position in a long line of players who have called both Everton and Rangers their employers.

Among those to make the move directly from Ibrox to Goodison are Steven Naismith, who has coached Patterson in the Scotland set-up, and Nikica Jelavic, the Croatian striker who transferred south of the border a decade ago this month.

A further 18 years previously, Duncan Ferguson left Rangers for Everton to begin an enduring relationship with the Club.

Patterson, who lists “athleticism and desire and strength in the challenge” as major attributes, is expecting to soak up an enormous amount of experience from current Assistant Manager Ferguson.

And it is a Ferguson protégé in England centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin who Patterson is excited about linking up with on the field.

“The manager likes the style of attacking full-backs,” said Patterson. “He is huge on trying to create chances for the forwards and I am going to try to do that for him.

“I love getting forward and creating chances. I love to provide goals and assists and that is only going to benefit the team.

“It is really exciting to come to a club that has huge talent in the team. I am going to work my socks off and, hopefully, I can do well in training and games.

“It is a massive club with a huge history… we aren’t in the place we want right now, but I have full belief we can get there with the talent in the changing room and staff here.”

Patterson, whose six Scotland appearances include one at last summer’s European Championship, is poised to contest Everton’s right-back position with captain Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny.

The experienced Coleman, revealed Patterson, has already gone out of his way to make the new man feel at home as he settles into an unfamiliar environment.

“I had a good conversation with Seamus and am really looking forward to working with him,” added Patterson.

“He is an experienced pro and has been through it all.

“I am looking to learn and grab anything I can from him.

“I am here to learn and improve and, hopefully, win things and do well for the Club.

“I have met most of the First Team, it is a good group of lads and there is a good team spirit. Everyone has made me feel welcome.”