Nigerian-born striker Arnaut Danjuma signs season-long loan deal with Everton

ENGLISH Premier League giants Everton have signed Nigerian-born forward Arnaut Danjuma on a season-long loan deal from Spanish side Villarreal as part of a plan to strengthen their squad aged of the 2023/24 season.

Danjuma, 26, becomes Everton’s second summer signing, following the arrival of Ashley Young earlier this month and adds attacking versatility and top-level experience to Sean Dyche’s squad. He will wear the number 10 shirt and can play in a variety of attacking positions, including as a central striker where he often started for Villarreal.

Top scorer for the Spanish side during  their run to the Champions League semi finals in 2021/22, Danjuma also has Premier League experience after spells at Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur, having previously played in Holland and Belgium. Close to joining Everton in January, Danjuma spoke of how the club's fans passion and manager Sean Dyche were key reasons behind him wanting to move to Merseyside this summer.

Danjuma said: “It’s amazing to join Everton and I’m really happy to be here. It’s been a long time coming to join such a massive club as Everton and it makes me proud. I had interest from other clubs but there was a pull towards Everton because of the fans, the manager and the history of the club and it’s second time lucky for me.

“I know I did not move to the club in January, that was because there was some uncertainty over the manager situation at that time but I think it makes it even more beautiful for me to join now. I am very grateful to be at the club and I can’t wait to play in front of the fans as well.

“I hope to bring a lot of goals and a lot of assists. The manager has clearly improved the team and there is a process ahead with him in charge that I am very excited to be a part of.

“I am very eager to perform and very determined to contribute to the entire club. There’s no vein in my body that doubts my quality and I’m very determined to now show that for the Evertonians.”

Danjuma was born in Nigeria but was first called up for the Dutch national team by Ronald Koeman in October 2018 and made his debut on 13 October in a 3–0 UEFA Nations League home win over Germany. Three days later, he scored his first international goal in a 1–1 friendly with Belgium and then after nearly three years without a cap, Danjuma returned to the squad on October 11 2021 for a World Cup qualifier at home to Gibraltar, coming off the bench to score in a 6–0 win.