Sign up for the big Everton stories from a fantastic season so far Get the newsletter Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Breaking his calm and collected demeanour just for a brief second, a smile crept on to Fabian Delph's face as he remarked, "I got here eventually!"

A move to Everton has been a long time in the making for the midfielder, and stretches much further back than just a relatively low-key swoop this summer.

In fact, the Blues first submitted their interest in a 19-year-old Delph when he was set to move away from Leeds United back in 2009.

The exciting youngster had hugely enhanced his fledgling reputation through a fantastic campaign with the Yorkshire club in League One, topped off by being named Young Player Of The Year at the Football League Awards at the end of that term.

Premier League clubs were always going to come calling, and it wasn't long before Everton were linked.

But, David Moyes couldn't get his man.

At the time, the allure of Aston Villa was stronger to a young Delph with a set of high ambitions he wanted to achieve.

"Yeah I was close to signing [for Everton] after I had a season in League One when I was at Leeds," the now 29-year-old told the ECHO.

"I was linked, I was close to signing, but ended up at Aston Villa.

"I had a really good conversation with Martin O'Neill and it was very enticing because there was a lot of England internationals there at the time.

"I had massive ambitions to play for England, with all the English players there I thought it might enhance my chances at breaking into that England side."

(Image: ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)

Finally though, a move to Everton has materialised - and this time it was a much more simple decision to make.

While it might have come a little out-of-the-blue for supporters, that wasn't the case for the midfielder - who first was made aware of interest from Goodison Park back in March.

From that point on, a move to Marco Silva's side was the aim for Delph.

Across his four years at Man City the Bradford-born man put his heart and soul into every performance and training session - an ethos he has already promised to bring with him to Everton.

He still had one year left on his contract with the Citizens but, instead of settling for a place on the bench, the 29-year-old knew the time was right to head out and chase the appearances he deserves.

"It was the perfect move for me," Delph assured.

"There were rumours circulating and then, once I'd made it clear I wanted to leave, they [Man City] weren't going to stand in my way.

"I still had one season left there. I could have stayed there.

"But when the opportunity came to sign for Everton it was a no-brainer. I'd seen Marco's teams in the past and I've spoke to people about Marco before coming here and I was excited to team up with him.

"It was an easy negotiation. City played their part really well.

"I did everything I could for that club, and they repaid me by letting me go at the price they've let me go at!"

An initial fee of what is believed to be £8.5 million is undoubtedly a steal in today's market for a player who has won the Premier League two years on the bounce.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

And leaving the champions to come to Everton was a natural step for Delph after a conversation with one particular former Blue - despite that someone still being a divisive figure among supporters.

The new man revealed: "I spoke to Joleon Lescott and he said they're very intelligent fans, they understand football and there's no hiding.

"I'm all about that.

"I'm decent pals with Joleon and he loves the club, he was here for a decent time.

"Once I mentioned Everton to him he said, 'Pff, make sure you get yourself there. They're a fantastic club.'"

10 years on from his first flirtation with the Blues, Delph is finally here.

And he won't be wasting any time in proving exactly why Silva was so keen to involve him in his Goodison project.