Everton striker Jose Salomon Rondon admits he joined in January not at peak fitness.

Rondon has admitted that he is now in far better shape than when he first arrived at Goodison Park back in August.

Talking to the Everton matchday programme ahead of the Blues' home fixture against Brentford on Sunday, he said: "The change in how I feel now from when I signed is massive. I feel really good, much sharper. When I came, I weighed 90kg, but I was skinny, without muscle – now I am 92kg and feel stronger.

“I like to fight with defenders and hold them off, link with my teammates and play facing [the game, with back to goal]. I feel good and will try to keep the same level. Sometimes, not playing is difficult, the kilos can go up, or they go down because you are losing muscle.

“There are many things around football people don't see. That is normal. They want to see the strikers scoring and the team winning. You must always be professional and work hard. Football is a short career and it is beautiful for me. I learned a lot from this 'job'. Football is my passion, my life."