Christian Norgaard has revealed that David Moyes and Mikel Arteta were key influences in his decision to join Everton, as the club's fourth summer signing was officially announced on Wednesday night after completing his medical.
Reasons for the move
The 32-year-old, who arrived from Arsenal for £7m, cited the atmosphere at both Goodison Park and the new Hill Dickinson Stadium as major factors. He also pointed to conversations with his new manager and his former boss as pivotal in his willingness to make the switch.
Norgaard said: “My past experience of playing against Everton: the whole atmosphere, the fans, is something I really look forward to experiencing as an Everton player. It’s a big, big honour for me, and it's something I'll do my very best, not only on game days, but in general to remember how much it means for people who support this club. It will be my mindset to represent the club in the best possible way.”
Atmosphere at Goodison and new stadium
He added: “I can't wait to experience the atmosphere as an Everton player. Goodison was amazing. I just remember the ground was shaking – literally shaking. Then we came to the new stadium last year and I was so surprised because you often see clubs lose that intimacy and atmosphere [at a new stadium]. But I was so overwhelmed by how good the atmosphere was as well. So I can see that the soul from Goodison has been brought to the new stadium.”
Norgaard has played in high-profile matches against Everton for Brentford and Arsenal. With Brentford, he featured in the dramatic 3-2 win that denied nine-man Everton the chance to secure safety before the Crystal Palace thriller under Frank Lampard. He was sent off for a challenge on Jordan Pickford in a goalless draw at Goodison, a red card later rescinded, and watched from the bench in December when Arsenal won controversially at Hill Dickinson.
Influence of Moyes and Arteta
Norgaard also highlighted the project at Everton, saying: “There were many factors to it. I felt I needed a change and to play a bigger football role. When I spoke to David Moyes and others at the club involved in the transfer, I heard about the whole project and I was very intrigued. Coming here just makes that feeling even stronger.”
On Arteta, who played under Moyes during his first stint at Everton, Norgaard said: “I spoke to him quite a lot about the potential move. And he had only positive things to say about Everton and also David Moyes. He played for him for a long time and the whole experience he had as an Everton player seemed to me as if he had a fantastic time here and really also excelled as a player under David Moyes. Hopefully I can get the same feeling as an Everton player.”
