Everton broke its club transfer record on Wednesday when it paid 28 million pounds ($47.4 million) to sign Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku on a five-year deal from Premier League rival Chelsea, the club announced.

Lukaku finished as Everton's top scorer last season after finding the net 16 times in 33 appearances while on loan at Goodison Park, helping Roberto Martinez's side to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old played for Belgium at the World Cup but his chances of establishing himself at Chelsea were hindered by the arrival of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid and the return of veteran striker Didier Drogba.