Everton sign Uruguayan striker Leandro Rodriguez

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

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, scored 19 goals in 71 games for his hometown club and is an exciting talent says Toffees boss Roberto Martinez.

"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 Rodriguez can make an immediate impact in Everton's first team.

"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," said the Spaniard.

"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."