Everton sign striker Maupay from Brighton

Neal Maupay has joined Everton on a three-year deal with an option for a further 12 months after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion on a £15million deal.

Maupay spent three seasons at Brighton, having signed from Brentford for £20m in 2019.

The striker scored 10 goals in his first season in the Premier League but struggled to capitalize on this campaign, scoring eight goals apiece in his next two.

Maupay started 84 league appearances in three years for a Brighton side which became known for their lack of a prolific goalscorer, with the Frenchman leading among their debauched forwards.

A departure in this transfer window had long seemed likely, with Danny Welbeck starting the season on top for the Seagulls, who also have Deniz Undav back from a loan spell at Union Saint-Gilloise.

Fulham appeared to be at the front of the queue for Maupay, but he reportedly changed his mind late and headed for struggling Everton instead.

The Toffees were without Dominic Calvert-Lewin through injury at the start of this season, while Richarlison left for Tottenham and Anthony Gordon has also been linked with a move to Chelsea.

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Maupay is therefore likely to come straight into the squad, although he was not registered in time to make his debut against Brentford on Saturday.

"Everton are a great club with amazing fans and I'm so, so happy to be here," he said. "It's amazing.

"It was an easy choice for me when I started talking with the club. I knew straight away that I wanted to play for Everton and help the club succeed. I'm excited and that's a new challenge for me.

"I will do everything I can for Everton. That's what the fans want - they want players ready to give their best and ready to fight

"When I enter the field, I run, I tackle, I try to make assists and score goals. Whatever the team needs, I will do it, because I want to succeed and I want my team to win."