Rafa Benitez and his former player reunite at Everton

Experienced premier league attacker, Andros Townsend has today completed a move to Everton FC ahead of the 2021-22 season. The former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace attacker joins on a two-year deal and as a free agent after being released by Crystal last season at the expiration of his contract.

Townsend, 31, will link up with his former coach, Rafa Benitez, whom they both worked together at Newcastle United and has now also been appointed the Toffees new coach. The attacker has admitted that the presence of the Spaniard gaffer at the Goodison Park is a major reason why he has joined.

According to the attacker: “When you’re young and a winger, you focus solely on when you have the ball at your feet,” said Townsend. “What can you do when you have the ball?

“Rafa tried to get me to work off the ball [at Newcastle], run in behind, come into the pockets, work back defensively.

“Rafa is very experienced, he does a lot of work on the tactical side on the training pitch and leaves no stone unturned.

“More importantly, he’s a great man, a great man-manager, and he’s always talking to you."

Townsend has 31 goals and 35 assists to his name in the Premier League, having played in the top flight since the 2012-13 season. He will try to give the Toffees options in the wide areas as they hope to improve on the 10th-placed finish from last season.