Iliman Ndiaye: Everton forward ‘always knew’ he would be in Premier League

Everton have struggled at the wrong end of the table for the past three seasons, finishing 15th last term after two successive final-day relegation escapes before that.

But Ndiaye was keen to join, saying the club’s long-standing interest in him was a “big factor” in moving to Merseyside.

Having sought advice from Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye, his Senegal compatriot, the forward said moving to Goodison was an “easy decision”.

Ndiaye said: “Personally for me, it is the best league in the world. Everyone dreams of being in the Premier League. It is not easy to get to it. I know a lot of players whose aim was to play there but it hasn’t happened yet.

“I watch football, I live football, I eat football – when I was young, I used to be a fan of Chelsea. I watched Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba and it was amazing watching them play.”

Everton host Brighton on Saturday as they embark on their final season at Goodison Park before moving to their new home on Bramley-Moore Dock for the start of 2025-26.

Ndiaye said he was motivated by the words of his daughter, saying her dad could become the last player to score a goal at Goodison or the first to net at the new venue.

Speaking to BBC Sport from inside Goodison, he added: “It will be really special. I wanted to come here before it leaves this place. Being part of the history is a big thing.

“I am really excited to score a lot of goals and I am a player that likes to get fans out of their seats.

“We all know the aim and personally I think we can end higher than last season. I see some really good things about the squad such as togetherness, which is really important.”