NYARKO UP FOR GAZZA PARTNERSHIP

Newcomer Alex Nyarko believes that Walter Smith’s shrewd move to recruit Paul Gascoigne on a free transfer from Middlesbrough will work only to the Blues’ benefit.

The Ghana international, now a fully-fledged Everton player after the formalities of his work permit were tidied up, took centre-stage in his first training session yesterday.

Under the watchful hawk like eyes of Assistant Boss Archie Knox he was straight away handed a target of 15 goals a season after a ferocious shot whistled past keeper Paul Gerrard.

Just 24 hours previous it was Gazza, who was the star attraction as the Blues continued their pre-season preparations in front of an emerging media circus.

And Nyarko is confident that his partnership with the Geordie, which should make its debut against Dundee United next Tuesday evening, will be a successful one for the club.

''This is a big moment in my life,'' explained Nyarko. ''I am proud to be here and playing with Paul Gascoigne. I think he is a nice guy who we can work with to achieve something.

''I think the fact he is at Everton will help to take the club's name around Europe and help to attract players to the club.

''Gascoigne was a hero for me when I was growing up. I respect him and I am pleased he is here. I loved to watch him play. I can remember back a long way to when he was younger and playing for Tottenham.

''Back home in Ghana we used to watch English soccer and that is when I first saw him. Ever since then I have followed him closely.''

On first impression Nyarko is seemingly set for success at Goodison Park. Described as a ball winning midfielder, it was the 26-year old’s defensive qualities that first attracted the Blues Boss in chasing his signature.

His arrival on Merseyside comes nearly five years after leaving Ghana in pursuit of success in the game he first learned to play at school.

He joins the Premiership after a spell in the French league with Lens, where he played alongside former Blue Olivier Dacourt and he is confident that his latest upheaval was worth the struggle he had earlier faced.

''It is difficult to explain how I started in football but the fact I am from Africa means I haven't had it easy,'' he says. ''I have had to make everything myself.

''You go through difficulties, but I am determined. I think that is one of my strengths now. In the beginning it was difficult because my family didn't allow me to play football too much.

It is a different life. You need to work before you can train. When you choose football no one knows how it will work out.

''People in Africa don't think of football first. I used to play at school and I stayed a long time in Ghana. I didn't go to a club when I was 16 for example. I played in the Olympic Games in 1992 when I was 18-19 and then went back to my country until I was 21.”

He continued: ''I started my career in Switzerland with Basle and I stayed there for two seasons before joining the Bundesliga with Karlsruhe.

''We were unlucky and went down to the second division so after a season I came to Lens and was there for two years.

''I have had to learn new languages, different styles of football and cultures but I have enjoyed it. Now I am in a new country I will do the same again.

''I didn't know too much about Everton when I first heard they were interested in me, but I am very happy that I am here. I am looking forward to the season.”