Featured Image Credit: Getty / Al Ettifaq
Topics: Everton, Premier League, Saudi Pro League, Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche
Ryan Smart
Topics: Everton, Premier League, Saudi Pro League, Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche
Demarai Gray has completed a move from Everton to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq - and the Toffees have addressed his departure with a blunt statement.
Gray ends a two-year spell at Goodison Park after joining from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2021, and was one of the club's key players during his first campaign.
But he struggled for consistency during last season - much like most of the Everton squad as they battled relegation.
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The 27-year-old played no part in Everton's pre-season campaign, and was left out of the matchday squad by Sean Dyche in each of their opening three games of the Premier League season.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Gray was then left angered by Everton's failure to sanction a transfer to Al Ettifaq, with Dyche going on to publicly address the situation in an interview with the club's official website.
But the deal is now complete, with Al Ettifaq posting a rather elaborate video on social media to announce the Jamaica international's arrival.
Everton, meanwhile, have gone with more of a subdued statement to confirm the 27-year-old's departure.
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Everton release blunt statement on Demarai Gray transfer
On their official website, the Toffees' goodbye message spanned just three paragraphs as they notified supporters of Gray's exit.
They wrote: "Everton have sold Demarai Gray to Al Ettifaq on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
"Gray moves on after the Blues opted to sell the 27-year-old forward to the Saudi Arabian club. It brings an end to his two-year spell on Merseyside, having signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.
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"Gray made 75 appearances and scored 12 goals for Everton. The Jamaica international started his career with hometown club Birmingham City before joining Leicester City in 2016."
Gray will now join up with Steven Gerrard's side in the Saudi Pro League, where he will play alongside former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, ex-Lyon star Moussa Dembele and Celtic defender Jack Hendry.