Shani Tarashaj has terminated his contract with Everton.

After ending his loan with FC Emmen, the Swiss attacker has also ripped up his deal with Everton, despite it having a year to run.

Tarashaj had joined Emmen in Holland on a two-season loan last summer, but it was ripped up last month. Everton had actually helped Emmen sign Tarashaj by extending his deal a further 12 months and agreeing to cover a percentage of his wages over the two-year period. But it was soon agreed to terminate the arrangement.

The midfielder was expected to train with Everton this season, but he has now confirmed he has agreed a release from his Blues deal and is now working on his own.

He explained to Blick: "I had to leave this negative spiral and draw a line. My last three years have been one story of suffering.

"I want to start from scratch."

Tarashaj believes the departure of former Everton manager Roberto Martinez, now Belgium coach, was a key factor in his career slide. He joined Everton from Grasshoppers in a £3m deal, but spent two later spells on-loan with the Swiss club as he struggled to find a way through at Everton.

Signed in 2016 by Everton, Tarashaj revealed: "(Roberto) Martinez had a very precise idea of how he would introduce me to the Premier League. He fully trusted me and my abilities. His dismissal was just bad luck for me."

- updated November 9