Everton has officially announced their new signing of the Swansea City captain Ashley Williams on Thursday, immediately after losing their star center-back John Stones who has moved to Manchester City.
The 31-year-old Wales center-back has joined Swansea in 2008 and also helped his team to achieve the promotion to the Premier League in 2011. He has agreed a three-year deal with Everton, but the transfer fee has not been announced yet.
One of the main reason Ashley joined Everton because after completing eight years in Swansea he felt that he need some new challenges, according to his interview.
After completing the move from Swansea to Everton, Ashley said, “I've had eight great years at Swansea and, for me, the new challenge was something I felt I needed, so I'm delighted to have joined Everton,"
"Everton is a great club with an unbelievable manager – a world legend in football – and I believe the club is going in the right direction. This is something I wanted to be a part of."
The Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has also expressed his opinion as a disappointment.
In an interview with club website Huw Jenkins said, “We are disappointed to lose Ashley. It is definitely not something we wanted to happen,"
"But having turned down Everton's initial offer, Ashley expressed his desire for a new challenge at this time of his career.
"Taking into account the excellent service Ashley has given this football club over the last eight years, including as club captain, we reluctantly agreed to his request to join Everton after they made an improved offer.
"It goes without saying that we wish him the very best with his new challenge and thank him for his services."