Bayern Munich defender explains why he turned down signing for Everton – ‘I am incredibly grateful’

Eric Dier has addressed why he didn’t sign with Everton earlier in his career.

The current Bayern Munich defender previously spent 18 months on loan with the Toffees’ academy while playing for Portuguese club Sporting CP.

He was only 17 when he moved to Goodison Park in January 2011 and helped the under-18s win the U18 Premier League.

He also took part in the first team’s pre-season tour of America,

training with them on occasion and playing for the reserves.

At the end of his tenure, then-manager David Moyes was eager to recruit Dier on a permanent basis.

where he played a significant role in England’s World Cup semi-finals in 2018.

Speaking to Everton’s match-day programme ahead of Monday’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace,

Dier, who joined German giants Bayern in the January transfer window,

said: “It was simply a loan contract, and at the end of it, Everton wanted to sign me.

“I times near the end, and the club was interested,

but I dailysportnews.co.ukest for me to return to Sporting.”Having begun there as a youngster,

my motivation has always been to play for them. They were my club at the moment, and I aspired to play for the first team.

“Everton put me in a situation where I could do that, and I am extremely thankful to them, which is why I am delighted to give an interview like this one to discuss them. Everton will always have a special place in my heart because of everything they done for me.

“But at the time, Sporting felt like the proper place for me to be. I left and returned in very pleasant circumstances,

and the management was fantastic with me throughout.” Dier said of his time at Everton:

Inside the building (at Finch Farm), there was a beautiful culture;

it seemed like a family. Obviously, it’s a large Premier League club,

yet the training ground felt quite close-knit.”The Club’s culture struck me as wonderful.

I believe that was instilled by the manager at the time [David Moyes].

He’d been there a long time and had a lot of outstanding players and professionals playing for him.

“There were so many outstanding players, including Phil Neville,

Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines,

Seamus Coleman, and Phil Jagielka. Seeing them in action was fantastic for me.

“I recall Phil Neville walking out onto the ground, a bag of balls over his shoulder. He was the captain, guiding the team to training.

“I’d include Bill Kenwright, too. I believe the club was a representation of him at the time. Very warm, with a genuine family feel.