Everton have announced the signature of defender Ramiro Funes Mori from River Plate.
The Blues were in the market for a defender this summer and have decided to bring in the Argentine centre half from River Plate to strengthen their options at the back.
Everton have paid a fee of £9.5m to River Plate to secure a deal for the defender and Funes Mori has signed a five-year contract with Roberto Martinez’s men.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the defender said: "When I heard about Everton's interest, I didn't think twice. My agent told me about this opportunity and Everton did everything to bring me over and I wanted to come.
"I know it's a club with a lot of history and a lot of good players have come from Everton, so I'm very happy to be here.”
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A product of River Plate’s youth academy, the defender was an integral part of the team that won the Copa Libertadores less than a month before he arrived at Everton.
Funes Mori established himself as one of the key parts of River Plate’s squad over the years and made 108 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals from the back.
His performances also earned him a place in the Argentina squad and he made his international debut in March this year.
Funes Mori is set to become the second Argentine player after forward Denis Stracqualursi to represent Everton.
