France Defender Lucas Digne Seeks to Reignite Career at Everton

France defender Lucas Digne says he is excited by the challenge of playing in the Premier League after completing a move to Everton from Barcelona.

The 25-year-old left-back joined the Merseyside club for a reported £19 million and signed a five-year contract.

Digne, who had previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Roma, struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Barcelona and is expected to compete with veteran Leighton Baines for the left-back position.

“I am not afraid, I am excited,” Digne said.

“For me, it is a new challenge to discover a country, a league, people and a great club such as Everton. It is fabulous.”

The defender said his time at some of Europe’s biggest clubs had helped him develop both on and off the pitch.

“I progressed a lot as a player and as a person by playing with the best players in the world,” he said.

Digne added that training and competing alongside elite players had helped strengthen his character and improve his approach to matches.

The France international arrived at Everton with considerable experience, having won domestic honours with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

Everton manager Marco Silva said Digne’s enthusiasm for joining the club played an important role in the decision to sign him.

Silva described the defender as a high-quality player with strong technical ability and said his arrival would increase competition in the squad.

Digne’s move followed Everton’s signing of Brazilian forward Richarlison as the club continued to strengthen ahead of the new Premier League season.