Everton have reportedly completed the signing of highly-rated teenage winger Francis Okoronkwo from EFL League One club Sunderland.
According to a report from the Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope on Twitter, Premier League outfit Everton have secured the transfer of 16-year-old prospect Francis Okoronkwo from lower league outfit Sunderland.
The 16-year-old prospect came through the ranks at Sunderland and has made quite an impression throughout his youth career. The Englishman broke into the Black Cats’ Under-18 side last season and enjoyed a promising run, bagging three goals and three assists in 17 matches in the Premier League 2.
A left-winger by trade, Okoronkwo can play on the opposite flank or even as a centre-forward. At 6ft 3in, the 16-year-old cuts an imposing presence despite his tender age. Reports earlier in the summer indicated that Everton were pushing hard to sign the teenage prodigy from the League One outfit in a deal worth £1 million.
And, it now seems like the deal has been done, with Craig Hope claiming that Everton have signed Okoronkwo, although the Toffees are yet to make an official announcement of the transfer.
This deal is now done. Francis Okoronkwo has joined Everton from Sunderland in a move worth up to £1m. https://t.co/RbpXdjE6qJ
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) September 13, 2021
The teenager’s profile has not been added on the Toffees’ club website either, although as reported by Toffee Web, his name was included in the club’s Under-21 list of players submitted to the Premier League earlier this month.
Everton did not have the most exciting transfer window this past summer, with the club largely adding players from the free transfer market – Andros Townsend, Andy Lonergan and the deadline day arrival of Salomon Rondon, who rejoined forces with Rafael Benitez after having worked with him at Newcastle United and Dalian Pro.
But the Toffees have made a fine start to the season, collecting ten points from four games in the Premier League, with most of the new signings bedding in well. As for Okoronkwo, the youngster is likely to have to wait till he gets a taste of first-team football at Goodison Park. Instead, he is likely to continue his development with the Everton Under-18s or potentially even the Under-23s.
More clarity on the situation should emerge once the transfer is announced officially by the clubs.
