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Everton striker Cenk Tosun keen to blaze trail for Turkish players

LIVERPOOL -- Cenk Tosun hopes he can set an example that enables more Turkish players to break through in the Premier League after his arrival at Everton.

Tosun joined Everton from Besiktas earlier this month in a deal reported to be worth £27 million, with the transfer announced at half-time in the recent FA Cup tie at Liverpool.

The striker, currently the only Turkish player in the Premier League, told a news conference on Wednesday: "I would like to become another role model for all the other players in Turkey.

"There are some great players, but it's difficult for them to make that breakthrough and I would like to open the door for them.

"I regard this league as the best in the world, and it's a great honour for me to be able to play here. I'm born and bred in Germany. I learnt my trade there.

"I've got great examples in front of me like Emre Belozoglu and Tugay Kerimoglu -- they've done really well here.

"My character as a player is very suitable to this kind of football."

Tosun, under contract at Goodison Park until June 2022, made his debut for Everton in the 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, playing 62 minutes before being substituted.

The Turkey international, speaking through a translator, confirmed that one other club from England had been interested before Everton completed a deal but declined to name them.

He said: "I can say that Everton was the first team that seriously wanted me, and I seriously wanted to come here."

The 26-year-old added: "It was my biggest dream to play in the Premier League. After my transfer from Gaziantepspor to Besiktas, I worked so hard to get here.

"Everton was one of the teams I watched, and I'm grateful that I'm here."