Everton have signed Sporting Lisbon defender Ruben Vinagre on a season-long loan deal.
The versatile Portugal Under-21 international, who can play as a left-back or left-back, spent five years at Wolves between 2017 and 2022, the first of which was on loan from Monaco.
The Portuguese club then turned the 23-year-old’s loan move into a permanent move this summer, before he joined Frank Lampard’s side, who also have an option to buy the player at the end of next season.
Vinagre is the second player to arrive at Goodison Park this summer following the signing of James Tarkowski on a free from Burnley.
“It’s a dream come true to join a great club like Everton,” Vinagre told Evertontv. “The opportunity to work with very good players and a very good coach in Frank Lampard made me excited to sign.
Image: Ruben Vinagre celebrates after scoring one of his three Wolves goals
“The manager is a legend in football. Everyone knows him and the opportunity to work and learn from him and someone like Ashley Cole, one of the best left-backs in football, is huge for me.
“Kevin [Thelwell] It was also important, because he knows me very well from when we worked together at Wolves. He told me about the proud history of Everton and the qualities you need here because it’s a very big club and you have to give everything for the fans.
“I give everything for my teammates. I always want to win because it’s the only way. That’s why I came to Everton: to win. Those are my characteristics.
“I’m good on the ball, I like to attack and also win the ball back, I like to do everything in the game!
“I remember Goodison Park is a very difficult stadium for opponents to play in because of the atmosphere. Now it’s good to be with the Everton fans. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Meanwhile, Lampard said of the new signing: “I’m looking forward to working with Ruben this season. He’s a player with Premier League experience who will bring quality and depth to our squad. It’s important to have competition for places and bring Ruben in. he gives us more options.”
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Everton fixtures: Lampard starts at home to Chelsea on Sky
Everton kick off their 2022/23 Premier League campaign with the visit of Chelsea at Goodison Park, live on Sky Sports, as Frank Lampard takes on his former club looking to make a winning start to the new season.
Richarlison scored the only goal of the game when the two sides last met in April to spark a run of 10 points from five games that preserved Everton’s top-flight status for the 69th season consecutive The game is live on Sky Sports at 5.30pm on August 6.
The Toffees hope to avoid those relegation fears this time around and face trips to Aston Villa (August 13), Brentford (August 27) and Leeds (August 30) after the curtain-raiser season, with a home game against Nottingham. Bosc (August 20) amid a hectic opening month.
The first Merseyside derby of the season comes next September 3rd at Goodison with the reverse fixture at Anfield on February 11th. Everton’s last game before the World Cup break is at Bournemouth on November 12.
The Premier League season resumes on Boxing Day with Everton hosting Wolves, while their campaign ends on May 28 with Bournemouth coming to Merseyside.