Everton have signed midfielder, Amadou Onana from Lille for £30.4m plus add-ons on a five-year contract.
Onana’s arrival comes after he scored just one goal in 43 appearances in his sole season at Lille, having joined the French club last August from Hamburger SV of whom he scored twice for in 25 appearances across 2020-21 2. Bundesliga campaign.
The 20 year-old midfielder is known for his pace and technical skill plus versatility in central midfield, with Onana admitting that Everton’s status as “one of the biggest clubs in England” was key to his decision to move to Goodison Park as were the fans and manager – Frank Lampard.
“It feels great to join Everton. I know it’s a big, big club, one of the biggest in England,” commented Onana as he added that he had held an ambition throughout his youth and senior career so far to play for Everton.
Onana also added praise for Lampard and Everton’s Director of Football – Kevin Thelwell as he said: “Everyone here showed they really wanted me and they have a plan for me, so I really appreciated the talks I had with the manager and Director of Football [Kevin Thelwell].
“They told me how they wanted me to play and I enjoyed it. They both have a lot of ambition and that’s the type of guy I am so it matches.”
Onana also acknowledged Lampard’s experience of having played top-tier football and won multiple competitions – including 2011-12 UEFA Champions League, as he hopes that he can learn “many things” from his new manager who also played as a midfielder.
Last season saw Everton narrowly avoid relegation following a late improvement in form in which fans played their part with a fierce matchday atmosphere, which Onana noticed from afar as he said: “The Everton fans are amazing. I saw their support last season and it’s also one of the reasons why I chose Everton.
“I am looking forward to meeting them at Goodison and, just hearing about the atmosphere, I get goosebumps.”
Despite being born in Dakar, Senegal, Onana represents Belgium in international football and earned his first senior cap this summer, as he made his senior international debut in a 4-1 UEFA Nations League defeat against Netherlands in June.
“I think I can play every position in centre midfield, whether that’s as a holding midfielder or a box-to-box as a number eight. That said, wherever the manager needs me, I will play there,” commented Onana on his midfield versatility.
Onana will wear the number eight shirt which he chose as tribute to basketball icon, Kobe Bryant, citing his “work ethic” and personality as inspiring and is “happy” to honour him by wearing the number eight shirt at Everton.
Onana is Everton’s fifth signing this summer after James Tarkowski, Ruben Vinagre, Dwight McNeil and Conor Coady, of which he and Coady will be eligible to make their debuts on Saturday 13 August away at Aston Villa in a 12:30pm BST kick-off live on BT Sport.
Leave a Reply