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While most Everton fans have been glued to their phones and computers waiting for updates on Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane, the Toffees pulled out what may be looked back up on as one of the bigger coups in their history.
On Friday, Everton confirmed the signing of 20-year old striker Henry Onyekuru from Eupen of the Belgian League.
| We've completed the signing of Henry Onyekuru. The 20-year-old will spend 2017/18 on loan @rscanderlecht: https://t.co/MGh2zoptTW pic.twitter.com/RSU0xtEr1w
— Everton (@Everton) June 30, 2017
Onyekuru, a Nigerian international, comes relatively cheap at about £7 million pounds, but as a major target for both Arsenal and West Ham, the signing shows Everton’s ability to play the role of spoiler thanks to their new ambition.
While the striker does have a season of top-level soccer under his belt, Everton will not bring the 22 goals scorer to Goodison right away.
Welcome Henry Onyekuru! Lien FR: https://t.co/3qc4fMLXxI #RSCA #COYM pic.twitter.com/CFr3AXsFQu
— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) June 30, 2017
Instead, the young but successful striker will spend next season back in the Belgian league, except this time with league victors and Champions League qualifying side Anderlecht where he will sharpen his game before presumably returning to Everton for the 2018/2019 campaign.
So who is this young striker?
Well, after helping Eupen be promoted to the Belgian top division in his first professional season, he flipped the proverbial ‘sophomore slump’ on it’s head when he tied with a league-leading 22 goals for the newly promoted side.
Some stats from last season for our latest signing Henry Onyekuru... #EFC pic.twitter.com/Vk0BXNY4U1
— evertonfcpics (@GoodisonPics) June 27, 2017
The young striker prefers to start wide and work inside and possesses LETHAL pace and extravagant footwork.
What makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in Europe, however, is the combination of the aforementioned physical tools with impressive technical finishing ability.
No matter what country you play in, leading the top division in goals in your first top-tier season no a newly promoted side is nothing to sneeze at.
While Belgium isn’t known for it’s defensive fortresses in the back. the young man has shown an innate ability to find the goal and Everton fans will surely be watching his progression with Anderlecht with much enthusiasm.