Leandro Rodriguez scored 19 goals in 71 games for hometown club River Plate Montevideo

Everton sign Uruguayan striker Leandro Rodriguez

Everton have signed striker Leandro Rodriguez from River Plate Montevideo for a reported fee of £500,000. 

The 22-year-old Uruguayan has agreed a four-year contract which will keep him at Goodison Park until June 2019.

Rodriguez, who has an Italian passport, has scored 19 goals in 71 games for his hometown club and boss Roberto Martinez says he is an exciting prospect.

"He's a young talent. Leandro is one of those elite, talented youngsters who we like to bring in," Martinez said.

"I am not saying that to put pressure on the boy, but he is a player we can be very much excited about in the future."

Martinez thinks that as well as Rodriguez's future promise he can also make an immediate impact in Everton's first team.

He added: "He probably won't need time with the Under-21s because he has played enough games with his first team in Uruguay in a really competitive league.

"Hopefully we can provide a path where he can develop and enjoy his football. If he can do that, clearly that's going to bring goals to the first team."