Everton Complete Christian Atsu Loan Deal

Everton have sealed the transfer of Ghana international winger Christian Atsu from Chelsea on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old completed his medical on Wednesday, upon securing his work permit to play for the Merseyside club.

The pacy winger featured on loan at Eredevise outfit Vitesse Arnhem last season, scoring five times in 28 league games.

He started all of his country’s three game at the World Cup this summer.

Christian Atsu Started All Three of Ghana Matches at the 2014 World Cup.
Christian Atsu Started All Three of Ghana Matches at the 2014 World Cup.

Atsu told Everton TV: “I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here. Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream.

“I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”

Manager Roberto Martinez earlier expressed optimism that the deal will be sorted out before Thursday, after convincing Atsu’s parent club that the winger will play enough matches in the coming season.

Everton are involved in Europe next season, and the Ghanian is in contention for his Premier League debut at newly promoted Leicester City on Saturday.

“He’s a player who fits in with the culture and the way we want to play,” said the Spaniard.

“He will excite fans because he brings something completely different and a different way of playing what we’ve got in the squad.

“He is a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.”

Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto on transfer deadline day last summer. He becomes the Toffees fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Gareth Barry, Muhammed Besic and Romelu Lukaku.