Everton drawn against Hajduk Split in Europa League with Ronald Koeman’s side two legs from group stage


EVERTON will face Hajduk Split in the Europa League play-off round.

Ronald Koeman‘s team were paired with the Croatian club during Uefa’s draw in Nyon on Friday.

Ronald Koeman says he wants to sign another two attackers this summer
Ronald Koeman’s face a trip to Croatia for their Europa League play-off
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Hadjuk Split celebrate scoring against Levski Sofia in a Europa League qualifer
Hadjuk Split celebrate scoring against Levski Sofia in a Europa League qualifier
EPA

Everton were seeded for the draw after overcoming Slovakian side Ruzomberok 2-0 on aggregate in the previous qualifying round.

And that meant they avoided the likes of AC Milan, Ajax and Athletic Bilbao.

They are now just a two-legged tie away from the group stage.

Croatian side Hajduk Split finished third in the Croatian League and have pedigree in European competition.

They have reached the Champions League quarter-finals three times and the semis of the old Cup Winners’ Cup and Uefa Cup.

But the Toffees will fancy their chances of getting past them, despite not hitting their straps in their first two games in the competition.

Everton celebrate their goal in Slovakia last night
Everton celebrate their goal in Slovakia last night
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Wayne Rooney has struggled in his first two competitive games back with Everton
Wayne Rooney has struggled in his first two competitive games back with Everton
Rex Features
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been backed by Koeman to play his part this season
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been backed by Koeman to play his part this season
Reuters

They laboured to a pair of 1-0 wins over Slovakian minnows Ruzomberok to set up the clash with Split.

Last night Ronald Koeman’s side again struggled but grabbed the win thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s strike.

And Koeman then admitted that he would like to sign a two more attacking players – with Olivier Giroud still believed to be his main striker target.

The Toffees boss said: “We need two more front players because if you count the players and count the numbers, we lost somebody and we brought somebody in.

“We like more competition and that explanation is not so difficult.”

Iceland star Gylfi Sigurdsson, 27, will clinch his move to Goodison over the weekend after Swans boss Paul Clement admitted he wants the deal wrapped up.

Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson is set to sign for £50m over the coming days
Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson is set to sign for £50m over the coming days
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Wayne Rooney scores his second pre-season goal for Everton against Genk

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