The Brazilian striker had two loan spells at Everton during David Moyes’s reign.
Bernard has revealed to The Echo that his move to Everton came highly recommended by the club’s former striker Jo.
The Brazilian winger joined Everton on a Bosman last summer after being released by Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 26-year-old moved to the Ukrainian side from Atletico Mineiro, where he played with the former Toffees hitman.
Jo had two spells on loan at Goodison Park from Manchester City, scoring five goals in 27 Premier League outings during David Moyes’s reign.
And Bernard, who earns £120,000 with the Premier League side [Spotrac], has revealed that not only did Jo recommend life on Merseyside, but he expressed a desire to play for the club again.
“Jo watched my first game against Leicester and sent me a message saying he was really happy with my performance,” he told The Echo.
“He told me the club was an excellent and great club with an extra-ordinary structure. He also said he would like to play here again!
“With the mindset he has, he is a lot more mature and a totally different person, a changed guy, really focused.”
Jo, now 32, is ripping it up in Japan with Nagoya Grampus, scoring 29 times in 44 league outings for the J-League giants.
He might want to play for Everton again, but it’s never going to happen. He arguably wasn’t good enough the first time around, during his peak, so a return to the Toffees won’t materialise.
But it must be warming for fans to know that he has retained an affinity for his old side.
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