Niels Nkounkou has revealed Carlo Ancelotti made a personal phone call before he completed his Everton transfer.
Nkounkou, 19, joined on a free transfer from Marseille this summer after Juventus and RB Leipzig had also made their interest known and he caught the eye from the bench after making his debut in the senior friendly against Blackpool last weekend.
He has been training with the first-team squad following the retirement of Leighton Baines at the end of last season and says he 'quickly' decided to join Everton after speaking to the manager.
“Carlo called before we finalised my transfer,” Nkounkou told evertontv.
“He told me he was very pleased I was coming over to join the club and that he was going to teach me a lot of things so I would be ready to play from my arrival.
“Carlo had a great career as a player and another great career as a manager, everywhere he has been he has won titles.
“When a coach like him takes an interest in you, it is something that makes you really proud.
“It was a great pleasure for me and my family when we heard Everton were interested in signing me.
“I was certainly struck by the Everton project – that hit home with me straight away.
“Then came the matter of the various choices before me, including the choice of managers open to me, and when I saw it would be Carlo Ancelotti commanding this great vessel, the decision was quickly made.
“I am delighted to be where I am today.”
Nkounkou has admitted his next target is to make his competitive first-team debut and help Everton to an improved campaign in the Premier League.
“I think I had a positive start [to my Everton career] against Blackpool,” he added.
“I had the opportunity to create a few chances for myself, though unfortunately none of them came off fully with a goal, but I'll continue to work to get us winning matches and clocking up a lot of points this season.
“I am quick on the break, I'm also pretty well-built, so I think my style of play will be well regarded over here in the Premier League, where we see a lot of players who run very fast and are also technically very skilled.
“I believe those will be my strengths, too.
“I am looking forward to making my debut appearance in the First Team, that will be my first target at the Club.
“Secondly, as everyone here knows, we're all looking to have an excellent season.
“Everton is respected as a big club here in England and with the talent we have at hand, we can go on to have a really great season.”
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