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It's clear Everton has touched Bernard. And that his pre-match routine will never be the same.

Especially when you consider the following.

Before every game, the Brazilian forward waits until all of his team-mates have put their warm-up tops back in the bag held by kitman Tony Sage.

Bernard then takes his turn before embracing both Sage and then Jimmy Martin. The customary high-fives with the players then follows.

But hugs and last words of motivation from the club stalwarts, have, the 26-year-old says, become an integral part of his final preparations and their encouragement is important to him.

Bernard, through an interpreter at Everton's Finch Farm training ground, is asked about the practice.

The Brazilian's grasp of a new language is now said to be very good - “I need more time to improve. I need more time" he says in perfect English - and he understands enough of the ECHO's question before it is translated into his mother tongue.

He starts to smile.

“I had never done it before at any other club but it has become a sort of ritual," Bernard says.

“They are two people who have been at the club a long time and are very important, like all of the staff, and I have the utmost respect for them.

“Jimmy and Sagey are always giving me motivational words and it has become a ritual, not for luck, but something I have to do now.”

But then Bernard will have been told about a club that gets under your skin, before he signed last summer after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk.

The forward was the emerging star of the Atletico Mineiro side in 2012 and 2013 when he carving out opportunities for Jo. Or as he's know known in the stands at Goodison as 'Brazilian Jo'.

“Jo watched my first game against Leicester and sent me a message saying he was really happy with my performance," he said.

“He told me the club was an excellent and great club with an extra-ordinary structure. He also said he would like to play here again!

“With the mindset he has, he is a lot more mature and a totally different person, a changed guy, really focused.

(Image: JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

“Sometimes in life you don't take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you and you do have regrets but I want the best for Jo, he is a great guy.

“I always have great things to say about him, he is a great player and I will always have a lot of time.”

England has been on Bernard's mind for a while.

He began taking English lessons during his time playing in Ukraine because he hoped, one day, he would win a move to the Premier League.

In August, Everton fended off competition from Chelsea and West Ham to land the free agent. The English lesson, three or four a week, have continued.

“I've always loved England and, without doubt, it has got to be one of the best places to live in the world," he said.

“It is really gratifying, not only playing in England, but living here as well.

“A friend came over with me, who used to work with me in Ukraine and we have become great friends. I also have a childhood friend live with me and he is also my personal trainer because I do some specific off the pitch work.”

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Bernard joined up with Marco Silva's squad having not played since the April because of a shoulder injury.

He has needed time to adapt, and is promising a greater goals and assists return next season, but he has shown more than enough to have Blues fans excited.

“If I was to summarise the season in one word it would be 'learning'" Bernard said.

“I knew when I got here that it would be difficult given that I had been out for quite a while.

“I was thinking it would be difficult to adapt given the intensity and the high quality there is in the league but I'm really happy with the opportunity I've had to play.

“Of course, I would liked to have done better, in terms of my numbers, for assists and goals and that is something I am working on in training and something I have in mind and, next season, hopefully I will do much better.”

What has been his favourite performance?

(Image: (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images))

“There was my first start at Leicester, the Liverpool game at Anfield and the West Ham game away, that is when I produced a really good performance and felt I contributed to the team," he said.

You don't have the honour of having a terrace chant created in your honour, if you hadn't contributed.

Bernard's song may not have changed him but it's certainly touched him.

“I like it, especially during the game. It is a great feeling to hear it then.”