GRAY DAY DAWNS AT GOODISON

Demarai says this is his time to shine thanks to the new start with Rafa

DEMARAI GRAY has been offered a lifeline after signing a three-year contract at Everton.

The former Premier League title winner made the switch from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth around £3million, and will now join the Toffees for their pre-season Florida Cup games in Orlando.

Gray won a title medal as a precocious 19-year-old with Leicester, but after establishing himself as a regular at the Foxes, ultimately lost his way under manager Brendan Rodgers.

That culminated with a move to Germany back in January after playing just once in the Premier League last season.

But the swift return was inspired by Everton’s ambition (manager Rafa Benitez takes training, right)... and the chance to play regular football again.

“I want to push on, be a pivotal player in the squad, help the team score goals and assist goals,” the former England Under-21 star said.

“I feel like I’m at a period in my career now where I can put everything together and achieve the targets I have set for myself.

“I just want to help this team succeed, win games and be up there in the table.

“And with the ability I know I have and the belief in myself, I can help this team. I’m a speedy, tricky winger who enjoys running with the ball.

“I like to play anywhere along the front three and I feel like I can be dangerous in all areas.”

Gray, who is now 25, played 15 matches for Leverkusen in the second half of last season, scoring one goal as they finished sixth in the Bundesliga.

But he jumped at the chance to join an Everton side he believes has the

chance to match Leicester in challenging for the top four. “I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m excited to play with the team and get to work,” he said.

“Speaking to the manager and director of football Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.

“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won in the past, is important and we’ll look to push forward and compete with the top clubs.

“A club of this magnitude has all the potential to be right up there.

“Everton are a very big club and the main objective is to be pushing and competing back up there in the table.”