Everton sign Crystal Palace star Yannick Bolasie

Crystal Palace midfielder Yannick Bolasie has joined Everton for an undisclosed fee, the two clubs have confirmed.

Yannick Bolasie

The 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Goodison Park and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits him on Merseyside.

“I’m looking forward to putting on the Everton shirt,” Bolasie told evertontv. “This is a big club and I know all about it from having played against them over the years.

“For me, it was a no-brainer to come here. But now that I’ve come to Everton, the job is not done. I’ve got to work hard and feel my way in. I’m ready and up for the challenge.

“It’s not about the money for me. It’s about looking at the ambition of the Club and where they are trying to get to. I just like to play football.”

Ronald Koeman is delighted to have sealed Bolasie’s signature and says he has tracked the midfielder, who can play on either flank, for some time.

“Yannick is a player who has been a long time on my radar because he’s the type of winger I like – fast, strong and he can play different positions in the forward line. He’s a really good signing for the Club.

“At 27, he’s a good age and he has experience in the Premier League.”

Bolasie joined Palace from Bristol City in 2012 and Alan Pardew’s side are set to receive a huge profit on the paltry fee they paid for the DR Congo international.

Palace are in the market for at least two strikers, according to Pardew, having struggled for goals for the majority of last season and it is believed the Eagles will use a proportion of Bolasie’s fee to launch a bid for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.

Palace captain Scott Dan has urged the club to replace Bolasie’s power and exciting style with another “quality player” with the transfer window set to close in just 15 days’ time.

Meanwhile, Mile Jedinak has told Standard Sport he is happy at Selhurst Park, despite linking him with a move to Championship club Aston Villa.

Alan Pardew told the Palace website: “We are very sorry to lose Yannick, he has played a massive part in the success of the club since he joined four years ago and it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye.

He has been a pleasure to work with and a true professional around the team, with an infectious personality which we will miss around the club. Nonetheless this is a move that Yannick was keen to make and we have agreed a deal with Everton.

“He has been an iconic figure at Selhurst Park and we thank him for his contribution.”