SALOMON RONDON has teamed up with Rafa Benitez again in a last-minute deal.
The striker, 31, worked under the Spaniard at Dalian Pro and has joined Everton from the Chinese club just before the transfer window closed.
Benitez also managed him while he was in charge of Newcastle, where he scored 11 Premier League goals in 2018-19.
He was on loan to the Toon from West Brom and Newcastle’s refusal to sign him permanently was a major reason why Benitez quit and headed to Dalian.
Rondon beat Tuesday’s deadline to become Benitez’s third major signing of a summer market in which the manager was severely restricted in doing business over Financial Fair Play concerns.
The Venezuelan forward said: “I’m really glad to be back in the Premier League.
“It’s a competition I enjoyed playing in and where I felt the fans’ support in every game.
“Defending the colours of a club with a history as rich as Everton’s fills me with pride.
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“I can’t wait to pull on the shirt and be reunited with Rafa Benítez, a coach who has changed the way I understand the game. I’m really grateful for the faith he’s shown in me.”
The front man, who spent the second half of last season on loan at CSKA Moscow, joins Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend as Benitez’s cut-price signings.
His move to Goodison came after Moise Kean returned to Juventus on a two-year loan after moving to Merseyside for £24million two years ago. The Italian club have an obligation to buy the player for the same price.
Left-back Niels Nkounkou has also left, to Standard Liege on a season-long loan.
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