soccer120: ASHLEY WILLIAM

Williams replaces John Stones at Everton

Everton have replaced John Stones with Ashley Williams after the Wales captain completed a £12m move to Goodison Park.

The Tofees lost Stones to Manchester City in a deal worth almost £50m, but have moved swiftly to tie up Williams from Swansea City.

“I’ve had eight great years at Swansea and, for me, the new challenge was something I felt I needed, so I’m delighted to have joined Everton,” Williams said, after signing a three-year contract.

“Everton is a great club with an unbelievable manager – a world legend in football – and I believe the club is going in the right direction. This is something I wanted to be a part of.

“I look forward to seeing what the manager’s plans are for me and the team. He’s been one of the greatest centre halves to ever play the game, so I look forward to learning from him and seeing what he can teach me.

“I really can’t wait to get out there at Goodison. I’ve always enjoyed playing on the Goodison pitch, so it will be nice to be an Everton player and experience what it’s all about when I’m part of the home team.”

Also speaking after completing the deal, Everton manager Ronald Koeman said: “We wanted to bring in a strong player in the central defence position, a player who knows the Premier League and Ashley fits the bill for us very well.”

Swansea City reject Everton's £10m bid for Ashley Williams. Find why

Everton have had a £10m bid for defender Ashley William srejected by Swansea City, according to a report

The Wales international, who has spent eight years in South Wales, was thought to be on the brink of joining the Toffees earlier this week.

BBC Sport claims that Swansea have now knocked back the Toffees' opening offer for the 31-year-old, however, with a spokesman saying: "We are not looking to sell him, and therefore we have turned down the offer currently on the table."

Williams has not featured in any of the Swans' pre-season fixtures to date after being given an extended break following his exploits with Wales at Euro 2016 earlier this summer.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is understood to be targeting a new central defender before allowing John Stones to depart Merseyside in a potential £50m switch to Manchester City.