EVERTON have confirmed the signing of James Tarkowski on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old England international defender left Burnley following a six-year stint at Turf Moor last month after his contract expired.
Now he has penned a four-year deal at Goodison to become boss Frank Lampard's first signing of the summer.
Tarkowski told evertonfc.com: "I’m excited to have joined Everton. It’s a massive club.
"I’m really looking forward to the years ahead and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given.
"Speaking to the manager, it was very important to see what he wants from his players and his team, what he saw in me and why he wanted to sign me.
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"Speaking to [Director of Football] Kevin Thelwell was also a factor. They both spoke about the ambition here which was really important for me.
"I’m an ambitious person, I want to achieve, I want to win things and I’ve come here to be successful.
"And then there are the Everton fans. The support they gave the team last season was incredible. You saw just how big the fanbase is.
"Despite a difficult season, Everton fans got behind their team more than ever. I think they are a massive factor about this club.
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"Hopefully successful times are ahead and, with the talent we have in the squad, we can give the fans something they really enjoy."
Tarkowski started his career at Oldham and spent three seasons in their first-team before Brentford swooped for him in 2014.
He helped them to win promotion to the Championship but only spent two years there before Burnley came in for him.
The defender lifted the Championship trophy again with the Clarets and continued to impress for them in the Premier League.
His form at Turf Moor even led to England recognition as he won two caps for the Three Lions in 2018.
Tarkowski's time at Burnley ended in disappointing fashion as they slipped to relegation last year, but now he is looking forward to working under Lampard in the top-flight.
He added: "I think the manager [Lampard] recognised my strengths, saw how I could fit into his system and hopefully improve the team. He also saw my character and leadership skills – that what I can bring to a group will be good and positive.
"First and foremost, I’m a defender. That part of my game is something I’ve really worked on the past few years to become the best defender possible.
"I want to bring that to the team, but I also feel like I’m a good football player. I can move the ball well, I can pass, I can attack the ball in the other box, so I feel like I’ve got myself in a good place to be successful at a club like Everton."
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