OFFICIAL: Arnaut Danjuma Joins Everton On Loan From Villarreal.

Arnaut Danjuma has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Spanish club Villarreal until June 2024. 

Everton finally have Danjuma after crazy six months having done his medical. yesterday, documents completed.

The Netherlands international was on the brink of joining the Toffees in January, even going as far as posing in an Everton shirt at Finch Farm. But the sacking of manager Frank Lampard on 23rd January, saw him get cold feet and he ended up joining Tottenham on a six-month loan.

That move did not prove a success, as he struggled for game time in the North London club, scoring just two goals in 12 appearances, and Spurs opted against making the move permanent.

Nevertheless, the January snub did not deter Everton in going back for Danjuma, fighting off interest from AC Milan to finally secure his signature.

The 26-year-old forward becomes Everton second signing this summer, following the arrival of 38-year-old full-back Ashley Young earlier this month and adds attacking versatility and top-level experience to Sean Dyche’s squad.

He has been handed the iconic Number 10 jersey which was last worn by Anthony Gordon.

The No. 10 shirt at Everton has had a long and colorful history, some well-known names have donned the shirt during the Premier League era, which includes; Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney, Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu, Royston Drenthe, Mikel Arteta, Thomas Gravesen, Simon Davies, Duncan Ferguson, Stephen Hughes, Don Hutchison, Gary Speed and Barry Horne, and a number of iconic players in the club’s history.

Welkom, @danjuma! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/uN8isnKGnG

— Everton (@Everton) July 23, 2023

Following the completion of the transfer, Danjuma spoke of how Evertonians’ passion and manager Sean Dyche were key reasons behind him wanting to move to Merseyside this summer.

“It’s amazing to join Everton and I’m really happy to be here,” he told the club's media. 

“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 began his career in the Netherlands with PSV and then NEC Nijmegen before joining Belgian side Club Brugge in 2018. There he scored six goals and four assists in 25 appearances over two seasons, prompting AFC Bournemouth sign him for €15 million in August 2019 for their Premier League campaign.

Injuries restricted him to just 14 league appearances as the Cherries were relegated at the end of that season but he shone during their Championship campaign the following year, scoring 17 goals and adding eight assists as Bournemouth reached the play-offs, though they failed to bounce straight back to the top flight.

He then was picked up by Villarreal in 2021 who he’s then been with for two season, wearing No.15 and then No.9 before his loan move to Tottenham.

Danjuma is set to bolster the Everton attack, having finished 17th in the Premier League table last season, two points above the drop zone, and scored just 34 goals in 38 league games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the only senior striker at the Goodison Park, and the club are reportedly interest in Leeds winger Wilfred Gnonto and Ajax forward Brian Brobbey.

Everton begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on Saturday, 12 August.