Christian Norgaard: Everton sign Arsenal midfielder on two-year contract

Everton have signed midfielder Christian Norgaard from Arsenal on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Norgaard, who signed for Arsenal last year in a £15m deal from Brentford, was left out of the Gunners squad for a friendly against Real Betis on Wednesday.

He made 20 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season but just seven of those were in the Premier League, as the north London club won their first title in 22 years.

Everton have also signed central midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for £16.5m this summer, along with 20-year-old winger Tyrique George, who was signed from Chelsea for £18m having spent the second half of last season on loan at the Toffees.

Norgaard said he was "very intrigued" about the project after speaking to manager David Moyes, adding: "Coming here just makes that feeling even stronger."

He added: "I think the club is moving in the right direction and last year was proof of that. I thought there were so many good players in the team and Everton was so difficult to play against."

Norgaard previously spent six years at Brentford and became a key player for the Bees, captaining the side and making 196 appearances.

Moyes has been looking for experienced players to add to his squad following the departures of the Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman, 37, and 36-year-old Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye.

Midfielder James Garner, 25, is also set to miss the start of the new season after the England international had groin surgery last month.

Everton start their Premier League season against Crystal Palace at home on Saturday, 22 August.