Colin Chong, Everton Football Club's recently appointed stadium development director, has claimed that the club's new home will have a transformative effect on the entire city of Liverpool.

Everton is currently finalising plans for a £500m stadium at the city's Bramley Moore Dock, designed by US architect Dan Meis.

"This isn't just a great opportunity for the club," Chong said. "A new, iconic stadium will benefit the entire city region.

"The development at Bramley-Moore Dock, alongside the legacy project at Goodison Park, will act as a catalyst to regenerate the whole of north Liverpool.

"It will deliver a £1bn boost to the local economy, create around 15,000 jobs and increase tourism visitor numbers to Liverpool.

"The knock-on effect of a stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will also kick-start the Liverpool Waters waterfront development."

Everton’s long-running quest to build its new home took a major step forward last November after it reached an agreement to lease land for the site at the dock if it is able to gain planning consent and secure funding. The deal will run for a period of 200 years at a nominal rent.

In August this year, Everton Denise Barrett-Baxendale said the club is now moving towards the "crucial planning phases" of the development.

"The transformation to the city will be on a remarkable scale – and that transformation will be beamed across the globe every time we play a home match," Chong added.

"From a marketing perspective alone, the increased media focus afforded to both the Club and the city cannot be underestimated."

To read an interview with architect Dan Meis on the stadium development, click here.

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