Soccer

Samuel Eto’o signs two-year deal with Everton

The four-time African footballer of the year could debut against former club Chelsea

Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o has signed a two-year deal with Everton. Photograph: Pierre-Philippe Marcou / Getty Images
Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o has signed a two-year deal with Everton. Photograph: Pierre-Philippe Marcou / Getty Images
Andy Hunter
Tue Aug 26 2014 - 21:19

Samuel Eto'o has completed a free transfer to Everton and could make his Goodison Park debut against his former club Chelsea on Saturday.

The 33-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Roberto Martínez's side with the length of the deal on offer from Everton a factor in the striker's decision. Eto'o had been earmarked for a move to Liverpool in the event of Brendan Rodgers cooling on Mario Balotelli but, with his former Internazionale team-mate sealing a €20m transfer to Anfield, he has moved to the other side of Stanley Park.

Eto'o, a Champions League winner with Barcelona (twice) and Internazionale, scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for Chelsea last season but was not offered an extension to his one-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho had expressed reservations over the Cameroon international's age during his time with Chelsea and their paths could cross on Saturday when the Londoners face Everton at Goodison.

Martinez has been keen to strengthen his strike-force this season with Everton having the extra demands of a Europa League campaign and little back-up for their €35m record signing Romelu Lukaku. Arouna Kone is still recovering from the knee injury that ruined his first season as an Everton player last year.

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Eto’o had been seeking a weekly wage of six figures from Liverpool but, with Everton’s highest-paid players earning around €119,000 a week, is expected to be on similar terms albeit with a signing on fee as a free agent and the security of a two-year deal.

The four-time African footballer of the year, who passed his medical on Tuesday, said: “I have been very impressed by the style of play Everton adopt. I could see straight away that at this club I will have the opportunity to play football.

“I had the chance to speak with the manager over the last few days and we agreed that this was what we would do.

"I was impressed with his enthusiasm but also by the knowledge of football that Roberto Martinez carries, his vision of football and how he reads football. I still think I can learn a great deal from him here."