James Tarkowski has completed a move to Everton on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract with the Club until the end of June 2026.
The 29-year-old central defender joins the Blues after his contract expired at Burnley at the end of last month, having spent more than six personally outstanding years with the Turf Moor club.
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Tarkowski, who has two England caps following a debut against Italy in March 2018, played 194 Premier League games for Burnley and started more than 30 top-flight matches in each of the five seasons prior to his switch to Merseyside.
After becoming Everton’s first signing of the summer, Tarkowski revealed the role of manager Frank Lampard and the Club’s passionate fans in confirming Goodison Park was the right move for him.
“I’m excited to have joined Everton. It’s a massive club. I’m really looking forward to the years ahead and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given,” Tarkowski told evertonfc.com.
“Speaking to the manager, it was very important to see what he wants from his players and his team, what he saw in me and why he wanted to sign me. Speaking to [Director of Football] Kevin Thelwell was also a factor. They both spoke about the ambition here which was really important for me.
I’m an ambitious person, I want to achieve, I want to win things and I’ve come here to be successful
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“And then there are the Everton fans. The support they gave the team last season was incredible. You saw just how big the fanbase is. Despite a difficult season, Everton fans got behind their team more than ever.
“I think they are a massive factor about this club. Hopefully successful times are ahead and, with the talent we have in the squad, we can give the fans something they really enjoy.”