Everton announced the signing of prolific France international striker Valérie Gauvin from Montpellier HSC in D1 Feminine.

The 24-year-old, who has been capped 31 times for France, scored fourteen goals in sixteen appearances for her side in the curtailed 2019/20 domestic campaign.

Joining Montpellier at the age of eighteen, after graduating Toulouse's youth team, she scored her goals at a rate of more than one every two games.

An Under-20 World Cup finalist with France in 2016, she was also a key member of her nation's side at last year's World Cup, scoring in their R16 tie against Brazil.

As she was still under contract with the French club, the deal will involve a transfer fee. According to reports from L'Equipe, the fee is rumoured to have been around 100,000 euros.

Willie Kirk's view

Speaking to the club website when the deal was announced, Everton head coach Willie Kirk said:

"Signing Valerie is a real coup for the Club and a sign of our ambition.

"For me, she is already one of the top strikers in Europe and taking into account her age and mindset, she will continue to get even better, and I’m delighted to be part of that future development.

"She is going to add a focal point to our attack and will be an important part of what is now a very exciting squad that we have put together.

“Sarvar (Ismailov, Everton Women Sporting Director) has worked tirelessly to get this deal done, and it shows his commitment and ambition to the Club with what we want to achieve here.”

Everton impressing in the window

Everton have already made a number of strong signings this year, and look a side on the up.

Gauvin joins Denmark international Nicoline Sørensen as the second forward. Danish defender Rikki Sevecke also joined the Toffees earlier in the summer.

Fellow Scandinavian Ingrid Moe Wold, the decorated Norwegian international right-back, signed following the expiry of her contract with her previous club.

Poppy Pattinson, an England Under-21 left-back, agreed on a two-year deal when she transferred from Bristol City

Scotland international Claire Emslie, who has previously worked with Kirk at Bristol City, is close to signing a six-month loan deal from the Orlando Pride, according to RMC Sport journalist Loïc Tanzi.

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