Following a public dispute with Everton, 27-year-old winger Demarai Gray has made a move to Saudi Pro League team Al Ettifaq.
Although the exact terms were not officially disclosed, reports from British media indicate that Steven Gerrard’s team agreed to a transfer fee of eight million pounds for Gray, who has inked a four-year contract with his new club.
Everton manager Sean Dyche criticised Gray this week saying he “didn’t want to train” and “didn’t want to be here,” after the player wrote on Instagram: “It’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person”.
Gray, who had not played for Everton this season, moved to the Merseyside club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 and played 75 times, scoring 12 goals.
“I gave my all to this club on and off the pitch, through good and bad,” Gray said in a statement released by Al Ettifaq.
“I was ready to play as much football as possible this season but it felt like this was not going to happen.
“It’s time for my next chapter.”
Demarai Gray, who hails from Birmingham, initially represented England at the youth level. However, this year, he decided to change his national allegiance to Jamaica and has earned five caps for the Jamaican national team.
During his time at Al Ettifaq under the leadership of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, the club has made notable signings, including Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, both of whom previously played for Liverpool, as well as Moussa Dembele from Olympique Lyonnais.