Asmir Begovic has admitted that Marcel Brands and Rafa Benitez were a "huge pull" to get him to Everton, and he believes the current squad should be fighting for European football.
The new Blues goalkeeper confirmed his arrival last week, penning an initial 12-month contract with the option of a further year.
He became the club's second signing of the summer when he put pen-to-paper on his deal, shortly following the arrival of Andros Townsend earlier on the same day.
But Begovic admitted that he knew about the move for a while, and explained the people leading Everton were a big pull to get him to join the club.
The 34-year-old told talkSPORT: "Probably over the last couple of weeks.
"I heard rumours that a couple of clubs were interested in me and, of course, once my situation at Bournemouth was clear things started speeding up a little bit more.
"I've known for a good couple of weeks, but last week it really heated it up and things moved very quickly.
"It's an incredible club, a big club.
"When you look at the people in charge - Marcel Brands and Rafa Benitez - they're a huge pull.
"I think the potential in the squad is very high and we can do some really good things."
Begovic has been brought to the club to provide back-up to, and to challenge, Jordan Pickford as the club's No.1 goalkeeper.
And the Bosnia international believes that he and his teammates can challenge for the European places next season, and he is determined to be as competitive as possible in his position.
"I think the first thing we have to do is be better, next year," he added.
"This club deserves to be competing in the European spots and hopefully getting into those European spots. Everything is in place for us to do that.
"We've got the manager, I think we've got a squad that's capable of challenging with the very, very best - and I think that'll be the overall goal.
"Of course as a competitor you want to try and compete every single day, play as many games as you can and hopefully contribute to this team being successful.
"But overall for me, it's important that the club and this team gets to where it belongs. Whatever part I need to play, I'm happy to do - to contribute to this team as best as I can.
"My focus right now is still so much on playing and being the best I can be."
Everton could get their first opportunity to have a full Goodison Park again when the 2021/22 campaign starts at home to Southampton next month.
And Begovic can't wait to get started at his new ground.
The goalkeeper concluded: "Having played at Goodison so many times over the years, you know how passionate these fans are.
"To have them back will be amazing, they've been really good to me since I've joined the club and they've done some amazing things for the club over many years.
"We're looking forward to starting a really nice, special relationship and of course we want to repay them with our performances on the pitch.
"Hopefully it can be a really good and successful season all around."
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