Striker Ellis Simms has thanked the club and the fans as he bid farewell to Everton following his move to Coventry City.
The 22-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Midlands club after Mark Robins' side met the Blues' valuation for the forward. Simms departs Everton after making 11 first-team appearances last season, scoring once against Chelsea.
Sean Dyche's side are set to pocket up to £8m for the Oldham-born forward as he returned to the Championship on a permanent basis. He spent the first half of last season on loan in the North East with Sunderland as Tony Mowbray handed the striker his first taste of men's football in England - following his loan spell with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
It ends a six-year spell on Merseyside for Simms after joining the Blues at the age of 16. It's the beginning of what is set to be a summer of change for the former Burnley coach, Ishe Samuel-Smith is set to leave the club as Chelsea edge closer to his signature.
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In a post on Instagram, the striker expressed his gratitude to the club. He said: "Today my journey at Everton football club has come to an end. I would like to thank my team mates, the coaching staff and all the people who work for the club and have helped me along the way with my development.
"I’d also like to thank the fans for the support they showed me and wish them and the club the best of luck in the future!"
In an interview with his new club, Simms highlighted the influence Robins had on his decision to choose Coventry amid opposition from other Championship clubs for his signature.
"The conversation I had with the manager," he told the official Coventry website. "He showed great belief in me and the Club as a whole are on the way up and it seems like it will be a big season or us.
"He has done his research on me, and he likes the way I play, he thinks I will be a good addition to the team.
"He knows I can score goals and he knows my strengths and I’m sure once I get on the grass he can teach me a few things and give me the support and the run of games for me to kick on."
It is believed that Simms will act as a replacement for Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres, who was previously linked with Everton, as he edges closer to signing for Portuguese giants Sporting CP.
After loan spells with the Black Cats and Hearts, Simms admitted that his next move had to be a permanent one as he looks to find a regular starting spot in the Football League.
"It was my first time playing in the Championship," he recalled on his time at the Stadium of Light. "It was a great experience for me, and it was a little taste of it, but now I’m coming here on a permanent move so I can settle in and its my new home, so I can kick on and strive for more.
"Going on loan is temporary so the loans I’ve been on, I was only there for six months so you never really fully settle in, so hopefully now with the length of the contract I can settle in and build onwards and upwards."
