Arnaut Danjuma is officially an Everton player after joining the Blues on loan from Villarreal six months after dramatically walking away from the same deal to join Tottenham instead.
The Dutch forward had been all set to sign a loan deal with Everton in the final week of the January transfer window but as the club awaited the final paperwork from the Spaniards, Danjuma was tempted away by the advances of Spurs whom he joined for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
The Londoners, who now have a new manager in Ange Postecoglu, didn’t opt to re-sign him this summer, either for another loan or on a permanent basis and though AC Milan had reportedly expressed strong interest in his services, Danjuma opted to remain in the Premier League with Everton.
“It’s amazing to join Everton and I’m really happy to be here,” he told evertontv when the transfer was complete. “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.”
He arrives on a season-long loan with reports claiming that the deal involves a £3.5m fee but no buy option was written into the agreement between the Toffees and Villarreal. He will wear shirt number 10.
The Lagos-born Dutch international made only one start at Spurs and scored two goals in all competitions but he has a record of almost a goal every two games in Spain and notched 17 in 52 appearances for Bournemouth as he helped them back into the top-flight two years ago.
According to Daily Mail Sport last month there was “no bad blood” between Everton and Danjuma despite his snub of the club at a time of upheaval when Frank Lampard had just been sacked and there was uncertainty over who the new manager would be.