James Tarkowski says he hopes to bring leadership qualities and added defensive solidity to Everton, after describing how the “incredible” passion he witnessed from Evertonians and conversations with key Club figures were major factors in him signing for the Blues.

The England international signed a four-year contract – until the end of June 2026 – with Everton on Friday, following the expiration of his deal at Burnley, where he spent six-and-a-half excellent years on a personal level.

Frank Lampard’s first signing of the summer transfer window, 29-year-old Tarkowski racked up 194 Premier League appearances for the Clarets, missing just eight top-flight matches in the past four seasons.

Tarkowski, who went on to regularly captain the Lancashire outfit towards the end of his stay at Turf Moor, became a transfer target for a number of clubs after confirming his intention to find a new challenge ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, a combination of talks with manager Lampard and seeing the impact Everton supporters had in helping the Club navigate a turbulent period ultimately led to a straightforward decision.

“I’m excited to be here,” he told evertontv. “I’m really looking forward to the years ahead and I’m just thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given.

“There’s a few [reasons why I chose Everton]… Speaking to the manager, first of all, which is very important – seeing what he wants from his players and from his team, what he saw in me and why he wanted to sign me.

“He also spoke about leadership and that was something that was just brought out of me at Burnley. I was made captain a few times, and then being the position I’m in and the qualities that I have, I feel it’s a real strength in my game. I hope I can bring that to this group.

“Speaking to Kevin Thelwell was also important to my decision. He tried to sign me when he was at Wolves and I was at Oldham so he’s known about me for a long time. It’s gone full circle and he’s managed to sign me in the end.

“And then also the Everton fans, seeing the way the team struggled last season but how the fanbase were behind them and the way they supported them right until the end to get the lads over the line.

“I thought it was incredible, to be honest.

“You don’t often see it from any fanbase so to see it from a team that was struggling at the time is just incredible.

“Fair play to the fans, I think it’s a massive factor about this club.

“Hopefully successful times are ahead and the fans can get something that they really enjoy."

In 2021/22, Tarkowski ranked first in the Premier League for clearances and shots blocked and second overall for aerial duels won.

Across those three categories, he ranked in the top three per cent of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues.

Defending, as Tarkowski proudly states, is “a job I enjoy and thrive off”. However, he also believes his vast experience at the top level of English football has sculpted him into a well-rounded footballer.

“First and foremost, I’m a defender,” he continued. “That part of my game is something I’ve really worked on the past few years to become the best defender possible.

“It’s my job. I enjoy it, I thrive off it and hopefully I can bring those qualities to this team and more, because I do think I’ve got a good all-round game as well.

“As I was coming through the leagues, from League One to the Championship, I was more known as a ball-playing defender, so when I went to Burnley I tried to bring out the defensive side of my game which has definitely caught up to the offensive side of my game.

“I can move the ball well, I can pass, I can attack the ball in the other box, so I feel like I’ve got myself in a good place as player to be successful at a club like Everton.

“When you’re a new player in a group, you have to settle in, get to know the players and how they react in certain ways, but I want to bring my leadership skills and experience and there’s some good young talented players here so I’d like to guide them in whichever way possible both on and off the pitch.”

There will be at least one familiar face for Tarkowski, though, in the form of fellow defender Michael Keane.

The pair spent one-and-a-half seasons together at Burnley, before Keane departed for Goodison Park in the summer of 2017, but have remained close friends having built a close relationship during their period as teammates.

Tarkowski will be reunited with Keane and the majority of his new Everton teammates on Monday (4 July), when the Toffees return to Finch Farm to begin pre-season.

“It’s always nice to have someone you know you can go to when you’re settling into a new group,” said Tarkowski. “Keano’s a great lad and someone I’ve always kept in touch with ever since he left Burnley.

“I didn’t actually speak to him before joining, just because I didn’t want to open my mouth too early. But, speaking to him through the years, I know how much he loves this club and know how big the Club is just from speaking to him. I know what I’ve got here and I look forward to it.

“It’s nice to join up with him again and I look forward to seeing him.

“Of course, there’s some very good players here. I’ve played with Keano, I know how good he is, and I’ve played against other lads here.

“Competition is important, it pushes you on and makes you want to play better, so I look forward to getting out there and training with the lads. It’s a squad game so everyone is in it together for a successful season.”

Fully aware of Everton’s rich history and past successes, Tarkowski explains the future ambitions of the Club formed a large part of the conversations that confirmed his choice to commit to a long-term contract with the Toffees.

“That’s really important for me - to feel the ambition [from Lampard and Thelwell],” he explained. “I’m an ambitious person, I want to achieve, I want to win things so I’ve not just come here for a nice time.

“I’ve come here to be successful.

“As I said before, you saw during a difficult season last year how big this fanbase is.

“A lot of fans could have turned against their team in a situation of struggle but Everton fans got behind their team more than ever.

“Growing up down the road, I also saw a lot of successful times for Everton, how good there were then, and hopefully we can bring back the good times.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of playing at Goodison Park in the past, seeing the fanbase and the atmosphere. I just can’t wait to get out there and play there myself.

“Last year was difficult as a club but hopefully there is a successful season ahead. There’s a talented squad here and I know that because I’ve played against them.

“Hopefully I can bring some qualities to that and, with a few more additions, I’m sure we’re in for a good season.”

Twice-capped by England, Tarkowski believes he now has the perfect platform to impress Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year, however his primary focus is clear.

“The ambition to play for England is still there for me,” he added. “I’ve always said my club football is the most important because if you get that right, international football will come.

“I’ve just got to do my job for this club which I’m really excited about, and if I play well then we’ll see what happens coming into the winter.”