'Yes, I'm disappointed' - Demarai Gray speaks further on acrimonious £8m Everton exit
Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson were among the factors that influenced Demarai Gray's move to Saudi Arabia from Everton.
Gray completed his transfer to Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, which is worth around £8m for the Blues, after a behind-the-scenes breakdown in the relationship between himself and the club became public following the conclusion of the Premier League transfer window days earlier.
While the escalation of the row placed his Everton future in doubt, and clubs in the Middle East were among few options for a departure by last week, Gray said new team-mate Henderson and new boss Gerrard played a part in his decision to leave Europe. He had been linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League for much of August.
Speaking after playing for Jamaica against Honduras on Saturday, in quotes reported by Jamaican outlet The Gleaner, Gray pointed to the role of the two former Liverpool captains in his move: “I think it was time for me to move on, and speaking to the manager there, I felt like I wanted the new challenge, opportunity and feel of something completely different.
“There’s a hype around the Saudi league at the minute, it’s quite big and a lot of players are going out there… I think for me and where I’m at in my career right now, I believe it’s a good idea for me and I had the influence of other players, like Henderson. I had good advice, good guidance and it helped me make my decision.”
ROYAL BLUE: Demarai Gray may claim victory but awkward truth clear for both player and Everton
How Alex Iwobi went from symbol of Farhad Moshiri excess to undroppable player Everton will now miss
Gray’s Everton career appeared to have been revived and then ended across a turbulent weekend. In an apparent shot at Blues boss Sean
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk
