Add to Preferred Sources

Beto has admitted he enjoyed a special relationship with the Everton fans but had to leave regardless.

Tuttomercatoweb report comments from the striker today from a press conference at Fiorentina. He joined the Italian side at the end of the transfer window, bringing an end to a three year stay on Merseyside.

How the striker split opinion

The forward proved to be a divisive figure for the Toffees, with fans never truly settling on their opinion of him. For every loving fan, there was the one who was convinced the 28-year-old was no good.

A record of 25 goals in 113 appearances – most of those from the bench – doesn’t help either argument. Both sets of fans, though, can agree he was one of the more hardworking strikers they’ve had in recent years. And Beto thinks that helped his relationship with them.

“The Everton fans and I have a wonderful relationship,” he said.

“They appreciated my work ethic, even when it came to the ‘dirty work.’ I’d fight and run all over the pitch, and they recognised that. They were overjoyed whenever I scored.

Everton

Despite the shared appreciation – at least in some quarters – the striker knew that this summer was the one in which to move on.

“I left Everton because I felt it was the right time to move on, but I can only thank them with great affection,” he added.

While Everton fans may debate about him for years to come, he’s looking back on his time in the Premier League positively. Indeed, he believes he’s bringing plenty with him from England.

“It’s one of the most competitive leagues, but so is Serie A,” he added.

“I want to bring intensity and aggression, helping the team by attacking the space in behind. That’s my style of football – physical and aggressive – and I also want to bring experience. I’m not the same player I was during my time at Udinese.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR