Everton have signed a 17-year-old striker from Sunderland for a seven-figure sum, with Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland of The Athletic confirming the news.
A previous update last week claimed that the Toffees had signed the teenage talent in a deal that could be worth up to £1 million, according to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope via his personal Twitter profile last Monday [13/09/21].
Hope had claimed: “This deal is now done. Francis Okoronkwo has joined Everton from Sunderland in a move worth up to £1million.”
The club has since completed a deal, with Boyland offering evidence via his personal Twitter profile on Monday afternoon [20/09/21].
Boyland attached a photo of the 17-year-old signing from Sunderland at the training ground.
“Everton have officially unveiled new signing Francis Okoronwko who has joined from Sunderland,” he said, before adding that the “highly-rated teenage forward will join academy ranks.”
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Given the hefty cost shelled out by the Toffees for the young striker, the club clearly retains a strong amount of faith in the belief that he could develop into an accomplished young talent.
The teenage talent is a formidable presence up front, standing at 6ft3, and he could operate in a target man role for the club.
At youth level, he could emulate the lone striker role of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Salomon Rondon.
He impressed for Sunderland Under-18s last season and it stands to reason that his featuring at a similar level will continue.
Given his age and the update from Boyland, it is probable that he will link up with David Unsworth’s under-23s squad or the under-18s following previous experience at that level.
Okoronkwo made 17 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League, scoring three goals and supplying three assists.
Notably, he also scored and registered an assist in Sunderland’s dramatic 4-3 win over the Toffees in May.
