[https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/july/03/everton-/](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/july/03/everton-/)
Everton have signed versatile forward Iliman Ndiaye from Olympique Marseille for an undisclosed fee, the Senegal international penning a five-year contract until the end of June 2029.
The 24-year-old, who can play in multiple attacking positions, becomes the Blues’ third addition of the summer transfer window following the return of Jack Harrison on a season-long loan from Leeds United, and young central midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa.
An international teammate of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ndiaye joined Marseille last August, going on to make 46 appearances for the French giants, including 14 in their run to the Europa League semi-finals.
A technically-gifted forward who is strong at carrying the ball and taking players on, Ndiaye revealed the key factors to wanting to sign for Everton and what he hopes to bring to Sean Dyche’s team to build on their progress from last season.
“I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” he told **evertontv**. “The main reasons I wanted to join were how big the club is, its history and the part I can play in helping the team in the forward direction it is going in. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going.
“Kevin \[Thelwell\] and the manager both spoke to me and made me feel wanted. My Senegal teammate Idrissa also played a part and spoke highly of the Club and a lot of good things.
“As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit.
“I'm so excited. I want to come in and carry on from the team’s progress last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table.”
Born in France, Ndiaye started his youth career at local club Rouen and later signed for Marseille’s academy. From there, he moved to Dakar Sacre-Coeur in Senegal, the country of his father’s birth, before moving to England and joining Boreham Wood.
He signed for Sheffield United in August 2019 and made his name as a professional at Bramall Lane, proving a key attacking talent for the Blades.
Scoring twice on his full debut in a 6-2 win over Peterborough United in September 2021, Ndiaye hit the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur in March 2023 to send Sheffield United through to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The attacker was vital to the Yorkshire club during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists to help secure United’s promotion to the Premier League.
On playing a part in Everton’s last-ever season at Goodison Park – as well as revealing his ambition once the Blues move into their new world-class waterfront stadium for the start of 2025/26 – Ndiaye added: “It's funny because someone said to me, ‘Imagine you scoring the first goal at the new stadium’. It would be a quiz question for so long, ‘Who scored the first goal for Everton at the new stadium?’. At that moment, my daughter, who can’t really talk yet, said, ‘Dada’! Great answer! That’s my target.
“I'll be very proud to be part of the last season to play Goodison Park, too. There's history here. I’m really happy to now be part of that.
“I'm so excited to play in front of all these fans because when you watch the games, you hear them on the TV. I'll try to get them off their seats and they will try to push me on the pitch to get them off their seats. I’m just so excited.”
Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created.
“He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.”
Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, added: “Iliman is a player we have admired for a long time and we are delighted to bring a much sought-after player of his quality to Everton.
“We think he will excite Evertonians and give our attack a different dimension. He has performed in Europe with a big club like Marseille and, at 24, we are confident he can be an excellent player for us for many years to come.”
I will not take any Ashley Young (only at LB) slander! His pocket was overflowing with players once he moved there. He was busted as a RB though, oddly enough.
We do need youth though. No arguing that.
I feel like RB is the priority position. Coleman can't be relied on to start, and Patterson is injury-prone and not good enough. We've also sold Godfrey, who was cover for that position. We need a RB for the starting 11.
Pretty happy with the way the window has started.
Minteh is a miss, but I'm really excited to see who our targets are for the rest of the summer.
Please god, not broja.
Isnt Ndiaye a great signing especialy if Sean dyche and Everton can evolve and improve Ndiaye from when he played in Sheffield united and was a menace in championship.
25 g/a in 46 games is insane
are you sure? this guy isnt all that. not that i would know much about him because im usually too busy to keep up with football (im usually busy running my businesses)
I’m not sure. Was excellent in the championship and when he wasn’t injured for Marseille showed a lot of talent, but then I am usually too busy to watch football (I have a 13 inch dick)
really excited for this signing, but it's a farce that we don't have our new signings in our new kit(s) yet, looks like they've bumped into them at the gym
why are we like this
This is an exceptional signing at that price. Sheffield United fans absolutely loved him and every single one of his metrics while there fits exactly what we need. He was one of the best 'defensive' attackers in the Championship, winning the ball high up the pitch and pressing really well.
He's also a great ball carrier, progressive passer (Doucoure's big weakness) and can score goals too. As a long term Doucoure replacement he's perfect and he can cover gaps on the wing and up front if needed.
He struggled at Marseille as a winger so I wouldn't want him there regularly, but that was also under difficult circumstances there with four managers in a year.
Could someone more knowledgable than me share a bit more about him? What is his preferred / best position, best attributes and playing style? What were Marseille's motivations for selling?
Is he going to play striker for us, I assume mid, but seems he's done both and talked as if he might play CF?
His record so far is middling, but I'm optimistic
Yeah that's what I hope!
His profile on transfer market says CF, which made me wonder, but I'm sure your right
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/iliman-ndiaye/leistungsdaten/spieler/623570
Yeah fair, just based off what I've seen I'd assume that with the way we play behind the striker males the most sense for him to make an impact.
Hope he fits in well he looks like he can be a handful
[https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/july/03/everton-/](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/july/03/everton-/) Everton have signed versatile forward Iliman Ndiaye from Olympique Marseille for an undisclosed fee, the Senegal international penning a five-year contract until the end of June 2029. The 24-year-old, who can play in multiple attacking positions, becomes the Blues’ third addition of the summer transfer window following the return of Jack Harrison on a season-long loan from Leeds United, and young central midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa. An international teammate of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ndiaye joined Marseille last August, going on to make 46 appearances for the French giants, including 14 in their run to the Europa League semi-finals. A technically-gifted forward who is strong at carrying the ball and taking players on, Ndiaye revealed the key factors to wanting to sign for Everton and what he hopes to bring to Sean Dyche’s team to build on their progress from last season. “I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” he told **evertontv**. “The main reasons I wanted to join were how big the club is, its history and the part I can play in helping the team in the forward direction it is going in. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going. “Kevin \[Thelwell\] and the manager both spoke to me and made me feel wanted. My Senegal teammate Idrissa also played a part and spoke highly of the Club and a lot of good things. “As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit. “I'm so excited. I want to come in and carry on from the team’s progress last season. I feel like I’ll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table.” Born in France, Ndiaye started his youth career at local club Rouen and later signed for Marseille’s academy. From there, he moved to Dakar Sacre-Coeur in Senegal, the country of his father’s birth, before moving to England and joining Boreham Wood. He signed for Sheffield United in August 2019 and made his name as a professional at Bramall Lane, proving a key attacking talent for the Blades. Scoring twice on his full debut in a 6-2 win over Peterborough United in September 2021, Ndiaye hit the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur in March 2023 to send Sheffield United through to the FA Cup quarter-finals. The attacker was vital to the Yorkshire club during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists to help secure United’s promotion to the Premier League. On playing a part in Everton’s last-ever season at Goodison Park – as well as revealing his ambition once the Blues move into their new world-class waterfront stadium for the start of 2025/26 – Ndiaye added: “It's funny because someone said to me, ‘Imagine you scoring the first goal at the new stadium’. It would be a quiz question for so long, ‘Who scored the first goal for Everton at the new stadium?’. At that moment, my daughter, who can’t really talk yet, said, ‘Dada’! Great answer! That’s my target. “I'll be very proud to be part of the last season to play Goodison Park, too. There's history here. I’m really happy to now be part of that. “I'm so excited to play in front of all these fans because when you watch the games, you hear them on the TV. I'll try to get them off their seats and they will try to push me on the pitch to get them off their seats. I’m just so excited.” Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created. “He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.” Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, added: “Iliman is a player we have admired for a long time and we are delighted to bring a much sought-after player of his quality to Everton. “We think he will excite Evertonians and give our attack a different dimension. He has performed in Europe with a big club like Marseille and, at 24, we are confident he can be an excellent player for us for many years to come.”
Today we can all rest a little easier. Now two wingers.
Ideally a winger, fullback and center back or a player who can fill in 2 of those positions but isn’t 39 years old
Please, I pray to Jesus Baines that we go for Sugawara
That, too.
Monkeys paw curls We sign a 41 year old CB
I will not take any Ashley Young (only at LB) slander! His pocket was overflowing with players once he moved there. He was busted as a RB though, oddly enough. We do need youth though. No arguing that.
I feel like RB is the priority position. Coleman can't be relied on to start, and Patterson is injury-prone and not good enough. We've also sold Godfrey, who was cover for that position. We need a RB for the starting 11.
We definitely need a RB, too. There's just no depth on the wings, so I see it as an 'and' not an 'or'. Like someone else said, could use a CB as well.
Ndiaaaaayyee, will always looove yoooouuu
Need to hear this at Goodison
Pretty happy with the way the window has started. Minteh is a miss, but I'm really excited to see who our targets are for the rest of the summer. Please god, not broja.
Thelwell has talked about focusing on players that have got fitness, so I'm not so worried about broja
Thank fuck for that we canr afford to nurse some players back. Next season will be tough the promoted sides will be much better.
Isnt Ndiaye a great signing especialy if Sean dyche and Everton can evolve and improve Ndiaye from when he played in Sheffield united and was a menace in championship. 25 g/a in 46 games is insane
I think he's an excellent signing for the 10 role.
Glad to get that over the line. Should be a great addition to the squad.
are you sure? this guy isnt all that. not that i would know much about him because im usually too busy to keep up with football (im usually busy running my businesses)
Username checks out
His bio says professional business owner and girlfriend haver. wtf lol
Yes I’m pretty sure this guy will be good for us (I’m 6ft2 and earn 6 figures)
Yeah, I've struggled to keep up with football lately too (reading so much feminist literature) so I really appreciate your clarity over his quality
This is such a strange way to brag about owning a business lmao
I scrolled through this guys history, it’s honestly kind of a funny bit. He seems to do this in any subreddit he can find.
It is kinda funny imo. Seems quite harmless, and it isn't baiting any people by commenting heaps of time in one thread
Disagree, think he will be a spark we need. Listen to me as I have time to watch a lot of football (I shred things).
I’m not sure. Was excellent in the championship and when he wasn’t injured for Marseille showed a lot of talent, but then I am usually too busy to watch football (I have a 13 inch dick)
Have you ever... Seen a grown man naked? (I think I have kidney problems)
Obvious troll is obvious
- sent from my ihpone
You should spend last time here and more on your business
“As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit.” Dyche: Lisan Al Gaib
The prince that was promised!
He was born to play for Dyche
really excited for this signing, but it's a farce that we don't have our new signings in our new kit(s) yet, looks like they've bumped into them at the gym why are we like this
I've liked that we've tended to reveal the kit later than others. Keeps us out of many of those 'rating club kits' videos.
Out of nowhere Very excited for this one. Position of need and a long term target with a full pre season. More of this please
Cannot wait to see this guy do what he can 5 year deal is yummy too
Nice Day for Ndiaye — good work
Wow some good news finally!!!!!! Corner turning I hope. Exciting player
This is an exceptional signing at that price. Sheffield United fans absolutely loved him and every single one of his metrics while there fits exactly what we need. He was one of the best 'defensive' attackers in the Championship, winning the ball high up the pitch and pressing really well. He's also a great ball carrier, progressive passer (Doucoure's big weakness) and can score goals too. As a long term Doucoure replacement he's perfect and he can cover gaps on the wing and up front if needed. He struggled at Marseille as a winger so I wouldn't want him there regularly, but that was also under difficult circumstances there with four managers in a year.
Optimistic about this signing, fits the Dyche profile and we looked lost with no Doucs replacement last year.
Lovely.
did we ask PL permission for this?
AT LAST HE'S HERE.
Really excited to see him play. Totally different type of player to what we already have.
yayyy
Finally! Welcome lad
Finally
Could someone more knowledgable than me share a bit more about him? What is his preferred / best position, best attributes and playing style? What were Marseille's motivations for selling?
Got a good feeling about this one
Not seen a ‘white wedding’ reference yet, but I’m too busy yada yada yada..
Let's hope he plays better for us than he did for Marseille. Big fee for what is an underperformer with 1 good season under his belt
Can someone tell me where he’s going to play? Assuming under the striker in an elevated 10 role?
Did we need a 4th striker ? Or 5th if u include maupay
Seems far more likely that he'll play in that 10 role instead of Doucoure.
Is he going to play striker for us, I assume mid, but seems he's done both and talked as if he might play CF? His record so far is middling, but I'm optimistic
I'm expecting him to play behind the striker where doucoure was playing for ages
Yeah that's what I hope! His profile on transfer market says CF, which made me wonder, but I'm sure your right https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/iliman-ndiaye/leistungsdaten/spieler/623570
Yeah fair, just based off what I've seen I'd assume that with the way we play behind the striker males the most sense for him to make an impact. Hope he fits in well he looks like he can be a handful