Godwin ObajeThierno Barry Unveiled: £27m Striker Vows to Feed Everton’s Attack with Goals
Everton have officially confirmed the signing of French striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal, marking their first major addition of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old France U21 international arrives at Goodison Park in a deal worth £27 million, and is expected to compete directly with Beto for a starting berth in Sean Dyche’s frontline.
Barry brings with him a growing reputation as a clinical finisher. He netted 11 goals for Villarreal last season, following a strong campaign with Basel, where he struck eight times. With Everton in clear need of greater attacking consistency, the addition of a natural goalscorer is seen as a significant boost to the squad’s offensive firepower.
Speaking in his first interview as an Everton player, Barry revealed his hunger—literally and figuratively—for goals.
“On the pitch I always give 100%,” he told Everton’s in-house media. “I always want to score, and to help the team to win. And I think that is my character. For me, this is my meal, my food! When I score, I’m very happy. So yeah, I give 100% on the pitch.”
It’s that kind of mentality that has supporters excited about his arrival. Everton endured stretches of attacking inconsistency last season, and Barry’s instincts in front of goal may prove pivotal in changing the club’s fortunes.
His £27 million fee places him among the club’s top 10 most expensive signings, and with that comes a degree of pressure. But Barry appears undeterred, embracing the expectations and setting his sights on emulating one of Everton’s most prolific modern-day strikers.
Standing at 6ft 5in, comparisons to former Blues talisman Romelu Lukaku are inevitable. The Belgian remains a cult hero at Goodison, having scored 87 goals in 166 appearances during a memorable stint on Merseyside.
Barry, who cited Lukaku as a major inspiration, hopes to follow in his footsteps.
“I just want to be like these players, like Lukaku for example,” he said. “He did very good seasons here, and I want to take him like an example, and I want to do the same.”
Barry’s physical presence, combined with his sharp eye for goal and relentless work ethic, will undoubtedly offer Everton a new dimension in attack. With pre-season underway, fans won’t have to wait long to see their new striker in action.
For a club looking to climb the table and re-establish itself in the Premier League’s top half, this signing feels like more than just a squad addition — it signals intent. If Barry delivers on his promise, he could become a defining figure in the next phase of Everton’s journey.
As he put it himself, goals are his meal — and Everton will be hoping he arrives at the table hungry.
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