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UPDATE: 7am EST / 12pm BST
The mystery deepens with this signing, as he is apparently playing for the Everton youth side at the Generali CEE Cup right now, in the Czech Republic no less!
Line-ups for @Everton vs FC Academy Pandev. There is a printer problem we are trying to fix. #efc #fcap #ceecup pic.twitter.com/Do1jxE6NcK
— Generali CEE Cup (@cee_cup) July 20, 2017
Everton’s summer recruitment spree continues unabated as they added another starlet to the ranks of the youth team. Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is on Merseyside to work out the details of a transfer from Feyenoord.
The 16-year-old forward, pictured here as part of the Netherlands Under-16 Development squad, had received offers to join the Arsenal and Manchester United youth systems, but chose to make the move to Everton instead. Ronald Koeman, who managed Feyenoord before coming over to the Premier League, is said to have been a factor in Zirkzee’s decision to join the Blues.
Zirkzee scored 33 goals in 27 games last season & has already turned down a chance to join Ajax's academy to consider a move to England. pic.twitter.com/qzxYU2CKNn
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 18, 2017
As early as this morning, the media were reporting that the youngster was close to joining Arsenal’s Academy. The teenager, considered one of Holland’s brightest upcoming talents potted 33 goals in just 27 games for Feyenoord’s Academy side last season, and he was subsequently promoted to the Under-19 side for the upcoming season.
Despite multiple attempts, Ajax Amsterdam failed to lure the player who has scored once in four Dutch Under-16 international apperances to their youth ranks. The teenager is expected to slot right in at Everton’s Under-18 side.
The Blues have recruited aggressively this summer for both the senior and junior teams, with defender Nathangelo Markelo, striker Boris Mathis, winger Josh Bowler having all been signed this summer and forward Anton Donkor coming back on another loan spell. Star center half Lewis Gibson is also expected to join the team in the coming days.