West Ham striker Enner Valencia has explained why he chose to join Everton over fellow Premier League club Swansea.
West Ham and Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has explained why he chose to join Everton on a season-long loan this summer, as opposed to fellow Premier League outfit Swansea City.
Valencia joined West Ham in the summer of 2014, joining from Mexican side Pachuca for a fee reported to be around £12 million.
Since joining the Hammers, the Ecuadorian striker has notched eight times across his 54 league appearances for the East-end outfit.
After reportedly falling out of favour with current Hammers manager Slaven Bilic however, Valencia was made available for a season-long loan, and eventually joined Everton on an initial temporary deal.
Now, speaking on why he chose to join The Toffees, Valencia also elaborated upon why he chose the Liverpool-based club over Swansea – who were said to also be heavily interested in the versatile attacker.
“I had some options but when I heard about Everton and saw the quality of the players, nobody would say not to come here.” Valencia told Wales Online.
“It is a great opportunity to come here with great team-mates and an excellent opportunity to have a great year in the Premier League.
“I got the news on the last day of the transfer market. I was very, very happy with the news.
“I was talking with other teams but the best option was Everton.”
Valencia also hopes that new Toffees manager Ronald Koeman will choose to utilise the versatile attacker in his favoured position of playing as a striker.
“The best performances of my career have come as a striker,” the 31 times capped Ecuadorian went on to say.
“Last year at West Ham I was used to playing as a winger which was difficult for me because it is not the position I feel well in.”
Valencia will be hoping to make his debut for his new club on Saturday afternoon, with Everton facing a home clash against newly promoted Middlesbrough.
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