Thierno Barry is “here to learn” and “can’t wait to get started” | OneFootball

Everton’s new marquee signing Thierno Barry is relishing the prospect of beginning an exciting era in the club’s history. The French striker officially joined the Blues on a four-year deal from Villarreal on Wednesday.

Barry, a France U21 international, is also looking forward to playing alongside his current strike partners Beto and Youssef Chermiti. “I am here to learn, and to learn with good strikers, like Beto and other strikers of the team,” Barry told the club website.

"I think it's my force – one of my strengths – to learn with the other strikers. I'm very happy to play with these strikers here.

"I want to start quickly here, I want to help the team to win and I to score goals.

"I hope we can finish in a high position in the Premier League."

Having played in France, Belgium and Switzerland, Barry signed for Villarreal last summer. He scored 11 goals during his debut campaign for the Yellow Submarine and helped them to a fifth-place finish in the league and qualifying for the Champions League.

Ever since Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap decided to join Chelsea, the Toffees switched their attention to acquiring Barry as their new striker. The 22-year-old had encouraging conversations with manager David Moyes and his sincerity helped him make his mind about coming to Everton and being part of a new chapter in the club’s history.

"I think [Moyes] is a good trainer and when I spoke to him for the first time, I felt this," explained Barry.

"He told me I have the quality to play in the Premier League. He wants to do good work with me. He wants to help me on my road. I feel the sincerity with him so that's why I chose to come here as well.

"When I see the [league position] of Everton for last season, I think it was not a very good season for them. But when the manager came in, I think he changed [the team's fortunes]. I feel with this and the new stadium, the Club comes with a new ambition, so I want to play my part in that.

"I can't wait to get started."

Reader Comments (14)

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Kevin Molloy 2 Posted 10/07/2025 at 16:18:29

I think this is the most exciting thing about him, his rate of improvement. He is obviously an excellent learner (you can see why Moyes was drawn to him), and I think he's going to be brutally effective for us, if not the most elegant forward.

It seems just his physique has placed him in the elite category, pace, height, and strength but then he's starting to score hat-tricks, he had a flurry of 8 goals in 3 games last season before Villarreal grabbed him, and then had an almost 1 in 2 strike rate in La Liga.

Paul Kossoff 4 Posted 10/07/2025 at 17:16:28

Joe 1."Really looking forward to seeing him develop." Jeeeez not another one developing!

First worry for me,

“I am here to learn, and to learn with good strikers, like Beto and other strikers of the team,” We don't have any good strikers, that's why we have paid £27 million for an apparently good striker, to replace the not very good strikers we already have. I would rather he said he's here to be the number one striker, and not here to get splinters in his arse while waiting for the last ten minutes to come on, because Beto has done nothing and we haven't had a shot!

Why do we pay out for players who are either not ready, have no experience, or the usual crap, he's here to learn, he'll get better, give him time. We don't have time, fourth lowest goals for last season, we won't get away with it again this season.

Jake FitzGerald 6 Posted 10/07/2025 at 17:39:49

Out of curiosity Paul, who are the readymade strikers that the recruitment team should have gone for instead at around £27 million?

Jim Bennings 7 Posted 10/07/2025 at 21:37:08

5 goals before Christmas 5 goals after Christmas to May, 10 goals in total, I'd call that a decent debut season for the lad and it's not asking the world really is it.

If he surpassed that total I'd be over the moon, if he fails to reach it however, I think we'd be a tad underwhelmed.

Time will tell.

Lord Hughes 10 Posted 11/07/2025 at 10:47:00

If we couldonly make 3 more signings what positions would they be then folks?

This my list …– R winger that can cover defence – L winger that can cover defence– Creative central midfielder

Danny O'Neill 12 Posted 11/07/2025 at 10:56:09

Been done to death on many threads Lord.

I think the general consensus is now sort out the right flank.

I don't think we need to prioritise a left winger who can cover defence. Ndiaye can go and do his thing. We play with 2 defensive midfielders to help protect the defence.

Ian Wilkins 13 Posted 11/07/2025 at 11:36:59

A good buy for me. Maybe a little raw now, but huge potential.We certainly need to be adding quickly in some key areas, wide right, right back, goalkeeper. Plus much more. I’m guessing a number of loans, probably four, will have to wait until clubs have sorted their own squads and decided who is spare…could drag on a while.

14 Posted 11/07/2025 at 15:09:07

Very happy with this, seems like a lot of potential for a relatively low outlay. I hope that this does not mean Chermiti is shut out. 3 strikers should all be getting opportunities according to their fitness and form.