Joao Virginia has described his Everton Premier League debut as 'brutal' and explained how the intensity of top-flight games is like nothing he has ever experienced before.
Virginia made his first-team breakthrough at Everton last season, playing in both the Premier League and FA Cup when he deputised for the injured Jordan Pickford.
Portuguese youth international Virginia signed for Everton in the summer of 2018 from Arsenal and made his Premier League debut off the bench against Burnley.
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He made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup victory over Salford City earlier in the campaign and spent time on loan at Championship outfit Reading the season before.
Everton number one Pickford was forced off during the first-half with a rib injury against the Clarets with his side already 2-1 down.
“I came to play in the Premier League”, the stopper was quoted as saying by Portuguese outlet Mais Futebol via Inside Futbol.
“I came in after Pickford got injured. It was brutal, but it was only a shame because there were no fans in the stadiums.
“I came on in the 40th minute against Burnley and I didn’t concede a goal. It’s the best league in the world, there’s a lot of intensity and the game doesn’t stop.
“The referee blows for a foul and there are no arguments.”
Just months after making his Premier League debut, Virginia joined Sporting Lisbon during the summer transfer window on a season-long loan.
The deal to take the goalkeeper to the Portuguese champions also includes an option for the Primeira Liga club to buy him permanently in this summer’s transfer window.
