Everton have completed the signing of French striker Valerie Gauvin from Montpellier.
She becomes Willie Kirk’s fifth summer signing and will replace Chloe Kelly who departed for Manchester City earlier this summer.
The 24-year-old forward has been capped 31 times by France and she netted 14 goals in 16 appearances for top-flight Montpellier in the curtailed 2019/20 domestic campaign.
The striker spent six years with Montpellier after joining aged 18 from Toulouse, where she graduated from the club’s youth team.
Kirk who led the Blues to a sixth placed finish last season told the club website “Signing Valerie is a real coup for the Club and a sign of our ambition.”
“For me, she is already one of the top strikers in Europe and taking into account her age and mindset, she will continue to get even better, and I’m delighted to be part of that future development.”
“She is going to add a focal point to our attack and will be an important part of what is now a very exciting squad that we have put together.”
“Sarvar (Ismailov, Everton Women Sporting Director) has worked tirelessly to get this deal done, and it shows his commitment and ambition to the Club with what we want to achieve here.”
Everton will find out their fixtures on Friday August 7.