Former Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar admits he had an influence on Jordan Pickford's decision to leave Sunderland for Goodison Park.

Pienaar, who played alongside Pickford during the 2016/17 season at Sunderland, has not been surprised to see the 24-year-old stake his claim to be the nation's number one.

"Jordan has the talent," said Everton's International Ambassador to the club's website. “I was talking to him before he got his move and I said that if he got an opportunity to go to Everton he had to go because he would have an opportunity to play for a long, long time and establish himself as England's number one.

“He has the quality to become a top, top goalkeeper.

“I was pleased he moved to Everton. He is at a good club where you get players who have helped him settle in quickly."