Everton signing Andros Townsend can understand fans being frustrated with their low-key summer market.

Townsend was a free agent, training on his own, when Everton's new manager Rafa Benitez – with whom he had worked at Newcastle in 2016 – picked up the phone.

"Everton are ambitious, have spent a lot of money in the past and are going for Europe," said Townsend.

"So I understand when I signed maybe Everton fans – or fans in general – didn't understand why this club, with its ambition, would get a free transfer from Crystal Palace."

Townsend continued: "I feel like a 21-year-old.

"I feel like I am just coming through and having a lot of doubters, wondering if I am good enough to play at this level. These are all things you go through as a 17-year-old, when you are coming through. Having just turned 30, I honestly feel like a young man.

"I've got a great opportunity at a massive football club. It's probably a bit unexpected. A lot of people wouldn't have expected me to get this opportunity but, listen, I am going to try my hardest to make this successful. This is what gets me out of bed – trying to prove those people wrong."