Everton has officially announced the acquisition of Thierno Barry from Villarreal for a fee of £27 million. The 22-year-old French striker has committed to a four-year contract with the Toffees, extending until June 2029.

Barry, who had a release clause of £34.5m in his Villarreal contract, was secured by Everton for a lower fee. Last season, he made a significant impact by scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 38 appearances, helping Villarreal secure a fifth-place finish in La Liga and a spot in the Champions League.

Expressing his excitement about the move, Barry told Evertontv, "I'm very happy to be here. Everton is a prestigious club in the Premier League with a rich history and a legacy of great players like Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku. I grew up admiring these players and now I aim to follow in their footsteps."

Barry's journey to the Premier League has been marked by rapid progression. Starting his senior career in France's fifth tier, he moved to Belgian second-tier side Beveren in 2022. After a standout season with Basel in the Swiss Super League, he joined Villarreal in 2024 for £13m. His performance in Spain, particularly his aerial prowess, where he won 66.7% of his aerial duels, has made him a valuable asset.

Everton's manager, David Moyes, known for utilizing crosses effectively, will likely leverage Barry's height and heading ability to improve the team's scoring from set-pieces. Despite ranking seventh in open-play crosses this season, Everton has struggled to convert these opportunities into goals, a challenge Barry is expected to address.

This transfer not only strengthens Everton's attacking options but also marks a significant step in Barry's burgeoning career, positioning him as one of the promising young talents in European football.