Everton signs Swiss youngster Shani Tarashaj

Looking to get its business done early, Everton signed Swiss under-21 standout striker Shani Tarashaj from Grasshoppers, the Merseyside club announced Thursday.

Tarashaj joins Everton on a four-and-a-half year deal through June 2020, and will spend the remainder of the season on loan with the Swiss club as part of the transfer agreement.

"Shani is an enormous young talent in Swiss football who, without a doubt, will have a great future. We're delighted to have found a young player who believes that our club is the perfect step for him to enhance his quality and to grow his career," Toffees boss Roberto Martinez told the club's website Thursday.

Martinez continued, "He fits in really well to our style and the way we want to play the game. He is a family boy, hungry and he is desperate to fight for his place in our talented young squad."

The Catalan boss sees the young Swiss striker making the jump to the Toffees' first team next season after spending the remainder of the season with the side he joined in 2008 as a 13-year-old.

"It is a dream for me to sign here at Everton. I am proud and so happy to be here," Tarashaj told EvertonTV.