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Everton have signed Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey in a deal for an initial value of £ 25 million, which could rise to £ 30 million.
Godfrey, 22, joins the Toffees on a five-year contract.
He is Everton’s fifth signing of the summer after midfielders Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, playmaker James Rodriguez and left-back Niels Nkounkou.
“It is an honor to join Everton and be part of a great club,” said the England U21 central defender.
“This is a club steeped in history that has an exciting team full of world-class players who will help me move to the next level. I am looking forward to working with them and hopefully having a good time with Everton.”
Everton are the first leaders of the Premier League after winning their first four games.
However, manager Carlo Ancelotti wanted to increase his options on defense after the injuries of Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite.
“The manager’s past speaks for itself,” said Godfrey, who will join the England U21 team this week for the Euro 2021 qualifiers against Andorra and Turkey.
“He has worked with some top center backs. I can learn a lot from him and he will help me get to the next level, which is where I want to be.”
Godfrey joined Norwich in 2016 from York City for £ 150,000 and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2018-19.
He made 30 appearances in the top flight last season when Canarias was relegated again to the Championship.
The fee is a record received by the Canaries, eclipsing the previous mark of £ 20 million, plus £ 4 million in add-ons, from Leicester City for midfielder James Maddison in 2018.
The City of York is in line to receive around £ 2.5 million as part of the change, having negotiated a sale clause as part of its move to Carrow Road.
Find the latest soccer transfers on our dedicated page.
