Everton Completes 28m Club-Record Signing of Lukaku

Everton announces 28m club-record signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

The big Belgian striker has signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park and will wear the number 10 shirt.

This signing is not just important for this season, manager Roberto Martinez said at the Merseyside clubs press conference which started behind schedule.

Its a very significant day in the history of our Club. Signing Rom is every Evertonians wish. This is a footballing statement of what we want to do.

Romelu Lukaku Joins Everton from Chelsea for a Club-Record Fee. Image: Everton.

The 21-year-old scored 16 goals on loan at Merseyside last season, as Everton finished fifth and reached Europe for the first time in five years. His goal tally was the highest at the club same season.

His performance for the Toffees earned him a place in coach Mark Wilmorts World Cup squad in Brazil, where he made four appearances and scored a goal.

Here (Everton) is a good place to develop as a young player. We have an ambitious manager, Lukaku said after putting pen to paper.

I have a good relationship with the players. This is the place where I belong.

I decided quickly I wanted to come back. Here I have the trust of the staff and supporters.

Lukaku joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in August 2011 for 18m but ended up featuring in just 10 league matches at Stamford Bridge.

He scored 17 goals in 38 games on loan at West Brom in the 2012/13 season when the club recorded their highest ever Premier League finish of eighth.

The transfer breaks the previous record of 15m for Marouane Fellaini when he joined Everton from Standard Liege in 2008.

It was earlier thought Everton would pay 23.7m for Lukaku before the club revealed the actual amount involved.