Everton sign Ghana star Christian Atsu on loan from Chelsea

Everton F.C. have confirmed the signing of highly-rated winger Christian Atsu on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The Ghana international, who joined Chelsea from FC Porto in a deal worth €6 million last summer, is available for selection for the Toffees’ 2014/15 English Premier League opener at Leicester City on Satruday after being granted a work permit and passing a medical.

Atsu is Roberto Martinez’s fourth summer signing, following of captures of Gareth Barry, Muhamed Besic and Romelu Lukaku. Both Barry and Lukaku spent last season on loan at Goodison Park.

“I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here,” Atsu told evertontv.”Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream.

“This is the biggest level for me to play at. I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”

Martinez added: “He’s a player who fits in with the culture and the way we want to play. He’s a very gifted, technical footballer and he’s got the right personality and character to fit in with the group, which is vital. 

“He will excite fans because he brings something completely different and a different way of playing to what we’ve got in the squad. 

“He’s a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.

“He also brings extra competition in a position in which we felt we needed a player full of desire and hunger, who really wants to make things happen in the final third of the pitch.”

The arrival of Atsu provides Everton with some much needed depth in wide areas following the departure of Gerard Deulofeu to parent club FC Barcelona.

Martinez can now choose between six players — Aiden McGeady, Christian Atsu, Kevin Mirallas, Ross Barkely, Steven Naismith and Steven Pienaar — to feature on the flanks against newly-promoted Leicester at the weekend.

Keep in mind Mirallas is somewhat of a doubt due to a lack of match fitness but the Belgian will probably still be named to the match-day squad.

Atsu, who made three appearances for Ghana at this summer’s World Cup finals, tallied five goals in 28 league appearances for Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem last term.

He is an early candidate for the infamous ‘Signing of the Season’ award.