Everton have signed Aston Villa midfielder Idrissa Gueye, as confirmed by their official club website.

The Senegal international was a regular member of the Villains squad that suffered relegation to the Championship last season, finishing rock bottom of the Premier League.

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But the 26-year-old was undoubtedly one of the Birmingham outfit's better performers, averaging the second most tackles and interceptions per match of any Premier League player after Leicester City title-winner N'Golo Kante.

Last week, The Birmingham Mail revealed that Everton had activated Gueye's £7.1million release clause amid their search for a powerful midfielder.

The former Lille man was spotted donning a Toffees jersey earlier today, suggesting an announcement would be just around the corner, and the Goodison outfit have now confirmed Gueye's arrival via their official website.

The 32-cap international has signed a four-year contract with Everton, meaning he's set to stay on Merseyside until summer 2020.

Upon signing the deal, Gueye said; "I am very happy to be here at Everton and I am very happy and excited to put on the Blue shirt to start the new season here.

"Everton is a big team with big players and great fans. The manager told me he is very happy to have me here and that we will have time to talk about football after. I am a defensive midfield player and I like making passes and also getting forward.

"I have played a season with Aston Villa which was a hard season but I think my style is good for the Premier League. You have to fight every game. All the teams are strong and you have to concentrate all through the game.

"Goodison Park is a very good stadium and the fans are very good, too. They push their team forward and I am excited to play there."

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