Everton have signed Nigerian-born Dutch forward, Arnaut Danjuma, on loan from Villarreal for the 2023-2024 season.
The Dutch forward was scheduled to join Everton in January 2023, but Tottenham stepped in at the last second to sign the 26-year-old left-winger on a 6-month loan.
In the 6 months, the Netherlands international made nine appearances for Spurs before returning to Spain at the end of the campaign.
Danjuma claimed that the ambiguity surrounding the managerial situation at Everton last season prevented him from relocating to Merseyside in January.
Frank Lampard was fired on January 23 and Sean Dyche was named Evertonโs new manager less than two days to the end of the January transfer window.
โI think it makes it even more beautiful for me to join now,โ Danjuma said.
โI had interest from other clubs but there was a pull towards Everton because of the fans, the manager, and the history of the club.
โIt is second time lucky for me.โ
Danjuma is Evertonโs second signing in this summer transfer window after the arrival of veteran English full-back Ashley Young. The club is trying to rebuild ahead of the coming season to avoid the relegation battles of the last two successive seasons.
Danjuma, an important player of the Villarreal team that lost to Liverpool in the 2021-2022 Champions League semifinals, has earned six caps for the Netherlands.
He played in the English Premier League for two seasons at Bournemouth before moving to Villarreal in Spanish La Liga in 2021.