Everton chief Brands confirms deal for Marseille defender Nkounkou

Everton director of football, Marcel Brands, has confirmed the signing of Olympique Marseille defender Niels Nkounkou.

The defender – who can also play in midfielder – has reportedly rejected a new contract with Marseille, leaving him open to join Everton.

The Frenchman will reportedly immediately join in first-team training but will play his football for Everton’s U23 side.

“Niels is a young, talented player with good technical and physical skills,” said Brands. “We have been following him for months.

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“Hopefully he can learn a lot from Lucas Digne and Leighton Baines, as well as Carlo Ancelotti and David Unsworth, and follow the same pathway into the first team the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate have taken in recent years.”