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Everton have snapped up striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal for a fee in the region of £27million.
The 6ft 5in centre forward is a France Under-21 international and scored 11 goals in La Liga last season as the Yellow Submarine finished in fifth place.
He will add height and physicality to an Everton squad that lost Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the end of last season after he opted to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
“I’m very happy,” Barry told evertontv after signing a four-year deal. “It’s very exciting to be here. I just can’t wait to start and I hope to start very quickly.
“Everton is a big club in the Premier League. They have a good history and good players have played here, like Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku. When I was young I liked to watch these players, now I want to do like these players who have gone before.
“I had good conversations with the manager. He told me I have the quality to play in the Premier League. He wants to do good work with me. He wants to help me on my road and I felt the sincerity with him so that’s why I chose to come here as well.
“For me, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think I proved in my career so far that I can adapt. For example, last season I went to LaLiga, which is a top league, and I think I had a good season for my first season. I’m not scared to play here and do the same.”
Fearless, focused and ready for the challenge. 👊 pic.twitter.com/OlYoLDyuf3
— Everton (@Everton) July 9, 2025
Barry to take centre stage at new stadium
Barry will now get the chance to lead the line for Everton at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“I think the fans here are, like, crazy people… I like this!” he added. “I like to score for these people. I just want to play here, score and enjoy it with the fans.
“On the pitch I always give 100 per cent, I always want to score, I always want to help the team to win. This is my character. For me, this is my meal, my food. When I score, I’m very happy. I will always give 100 per cent on the pitch and try to score goals.
“The stadium is very big, it’s an amazing stadium, and I’m looking forward to seeing the fans in here.
“When the manager came last season, I think he changed a little bit the team and I feel this and the new stadium, I think the club comes with a new ambition, so I want to play my part in that.”
Barry is the second signing for Everton this summer after they made Charly Alcaraz’s loan deal permanent.
