New Everton signing Idrissa Gueye is relishing the prospect of playing for the Toffees in the Premier League this season.

The Senegal international completed his move to Goodison Park from Aston Villa on Tuesday for a fee believed to be in the region of £7.1million, and he becomes new boss Ronald Koeman’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

The defensive midfielder, who was also wanted by Marseille, impressed in a Villa side that was relegated last season, featuring in 35 league matches, and he admits that he is now looking forward to continuing his career on Merseyside.

“I am very happy to be here at Everton and I am very happy and excited to put on the Blue shirt to start the new season here,” he said.

“Everton is a big team with big players and great fans. The manager told me he is very happy to have me here and that we will have time to talk about football after.”

Gueye boasted impressive credentials for Villa last season, as he finished second only to Leicester’s Premier League winning midfielder N’Golo Kante in terms of the number of combined tackles and interceptions made across the big five leagues in Europe.

The 26-year-old is looking forward to maintaining that combative nature with Everton and believes he has learned a lot during his 12 months at Villa Park.

“I am a defensive midfield player and I like making passes and also getting forward,” he added.

“I have played a season with Aston Villa which was a hard season but I think my style is good for the Premier League.”

Everton will kick off the new Premier League campaign with a home match against Tottenham on August 13, and they are available at 2.88 to begin the season with a victory, while Spurs are on offer at 2.40 and the draw is priced at 3.20.