Dele’s new club believes the former Everton midfielder will be able to mentor and inspire their young stars.

Como sit just above the relegation zone in Serie A and hope the 28-year-old will have an impact on the pitch as they look to make the leap into mid-table.

But the faith the Italian side has placed in him is not solely dependent on what he does on the pitch, with manager Cesc Fabregas and his staff wanting Dele to support their developing starlets.

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Como announced Dele’s arrival on Sunday, official confirmation following his trip there last month and decision to leave Everton. His contract had expired last summer but the club had allowed him to continue to work at its Finch Farm training ground while he attempted to overcome his injury problems.

Dele last played a competitive match while on loan with Besiktas just under two years ago, his final game for Everton coming at the start of the 2022/23 campaign before his switch to Turkey. There was hope he could overcome his injury struggles and Everton held talks with his former club Tottenham Hotspur to pave the way for a new contract if he could prove his fitness.

Setbacks held him back this season though, preventing a breakthrough before he received interest from Italy. He has now signed an 18-month contract at Como, with the club having the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

Upon confirmation of his move, Fabregas said: “The club believes in Dele’s potential and is committed to helping him rediscover his best form. His experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly benefit the squad.”

While there is that desire for him to have an impact on the pitch, the club has stressed to the player he is under no immediate performance expectations and that Como chiefs believe the deal will provide wider benefits given his experience. Former Everton manager Sean Dyche repeatedly spoke of Dele’s footballing intelligence and Como want to tap into that and use Dele to help up and coming players like Nico Paz, Alieu Fadera and Assane Diao.