Valencia loving life at Everton

Enner Valencia’s arrival at Everton might have been delayed, but now he has finally tasted the atmosphere at his new club he can’t wait to get stuck into the action.

The 26-year-old attacker completed a season-long loan from West Ham United on transfer deadline day.

However, international duty with Ecuador delayed Valencia’s arrival at Finch Farm, having already played six times for the Hammers this season.

But after experiencing his first training sessions this week Valencia admits he is happy to finally be wearing an Everton shirt and he hopes to make his debut as soon as possible.

“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a great club with excellent fans. I’m looking forward to getting onto the pitch with my new teammates,” Valencia said.

“I was in Ecuador when I signed with Everton on the last day of the transfer market. I was a little bit worried it wouldn’t get done in time but, in the end, everything was fine.

“When the people who I work with told me about the possibility of joining Everton that morning, it was great news for me. When it was confirmed in the last hour [of the window], it was an even better moment.

“[Training] is different than my last team – a little bit harder! There’s a great coach and manager here and I am trying to learn about him.

“I already knew that Everton was a big team but when I came here to the training ground, I realised that it was bigger than what I thought before.

“I have great teammates, there are great staff working behind the team and there are all the facilities for me to have a great year here.”