The Belgian has returned to Goodison Park permanently, where he scored 15 league goals on loan from Chelsea last term, after falling further down the Stamford Bridge pecking order.
Roberto Martinez says their swoop for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is a historic day for the club. Everton have signed Lukaku from Chelsea for a club-record fee of £28million, with the striker penning a five-year deal.
Everton have completed the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea on a five-year deal for a fee of £28 million (€35m).
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Goodison Park, scoring 15 Premier League goals, and has now made his move permanent after not featuring in Blues boss Jose Mourinho’s plans for the new campaign.
Everton made a breakthrough in agreeing terms on a deal for the Belgium international – a fee that eclipses the previous €19m club-record signing of Marouane Fellaini.
Lukaku, who enjoyed an extended break after his World Cup exploits with Belgium, was thought to be keen to be reunited with Roberto Martinez, under whom he flourished last term.
“It is not just one of those important days for the season but it is a very significant day in the history of our football club,” said Martinez.
“The feeling in the dressing room was to get him back on a permanent basis to get some continuity and grow into a very successful team.
“That is why we are so delighted. It is not something which has happened overnight, there has been a lot of work and support from the chairman and the board has been very important in being able to see Rom back at the club.
“It is fair to say Romelu was our number one target to bring in and the pursuit was relentless but it had to be a record transfer and it is worth every single penny and effort we put behind it.
“At 21 he has already scored over 30 goals in the Premier League and in my eyes the target is for him to become one of the best world-class strikers.
“To have a footballer of Rom’s calibre on a permanent basis it means there had to be a lot of long-term planning and work behind the scenes but, more importantly, his potential his huge.”
