Who is Shani Tarashaj? Everton sign young attacking midfielder from Grasshopper Zurich
The 20-year old will be immediately loaned back to Grasshopper in order to complete his national service
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Your support makes all the difference.Everton have completed the signing of Switzerland under-21 international Shani Tarashaj from Grasshopper Zurich.
The 20-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the club but will be immediately loaned back to Grasshopper, which will allow him to complete his national service.
"Shani is an enormous young talent in Swiss football who, without a doubt, will have a great future,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez, in a statement published on the club’s website.
“We’re delighted to have found a young player who believes that our Club is the perfect step for him to enhance his quality and to grow his career.
“He fits in really well to our style and the way we want to play the game. He is a family boy, hungry and he is desperate to fight for his place in our talented young squad.
“I’m delighted we have been able to act quickly and secure the deal for Shani which means that, due to his national service commitments, he will be able to be part of our first team squad from next season.
“Grasshopper have been very professional and the deal has been conducted in an exemplary way.”
"It is a dream for me to sign here at Everton,” Tarashaj told the club’s website. “I am proud and so happy to be here.”
He becomes the club's second signing of the window so far, following the £225,000 purchase of teenager Matty Foulds from Bury.
Who is he?
Tarashaj is one of the most exciting young talents in Swiss football, having scored eight times in 18 appearances this term.
He plays as an attacking midfielder and will provide competition to Ross Barkley next term. Fellow playmaker Steven Naismith has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park in recent weeks, while Leon Osman's contract expires at the end of this season.
The 20-year-old has been capped eight times by Switzerland's under-21 side, scoring five times, including a strike against England in a 3-1 European Championship qualifier defeat last November.
Tarashaj moves back on loan to Grasshopper immediately in order to complete military service in Switzerland, which is mandatory for all men in the country.
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