Everton FC

Mirallas joins Fiorentina on season-long loan

Kevin Mirallas is set to spend a second season away from Everton.

Mirallas rejoined Olympiakos on loan during the second half of last term but was sent back to the Blues by his former club a week ahead of schedule.

The Belgium international’s first-team prospects under Marco Silva appeared bleak with the arrival of Watford winger Richarlison at the end of last month.

Everton confirmed on Saturday that Mirallas, 30, will be joining Serie A outfit Fiorentina for a season-long spell, subject to a successful medical.

News of Mirallas’ departure comes barely 36 hours after Everton offloaded Ashley Williams to Championship newcomers Stoke City in a similar deal.

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Besides Barcelona defender Lucas Digne, Silva has also moved to bring Arsenal goalkeeper Joao Virginia to Goodison Park this week on a three-year deal.

The Faro-born stopper moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2015 from Benfica and made 22 appearances for the Gunners’ U18 and U23 sides last season.

He was also a part of Portugal’s victorious Euro U19 Championship team which overcame Italy in last weekend’s final.

“I am really happy to be at Everton,” said Virginia.

“I hope to learn a lot from the goalkeepers here, Jordan Pickford, who had a great season and World Cup and Maarten Stekelenburg, who is very experienced, too. This is a great opportunity for me.”