Soccer

Everton complete signing of Ademola Lookman from Charlton Athletic

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has completed the signing of Ademola Lookman from Charlton  
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has completed the signing of Ademola Lookman from Charlton   Everton manager Ronald Koeman has completed the signing of Ademola Lookman from Charlton  

EVERTON have announced the signing of winger Ademola Lookman from Charlton on a four and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old, an England U20 international, made his debut for the Addicks in November 2015 and scored five goals in the Championship before the club were relegated to League One.

Lookman has scored seven times for the Londoners this term and is relishing a "dream move" to Goodison Park: "It feels great to be an Everton player," he said.

"As soon as I heard about Everton's interest, I knew this would be the right place for me. Everton has a big history and I was also attracted by the manager [Ronald Koeman]. When you look at what he did at Southampton and what he does with young players in terms of developing them, that was a big attraction. It was great playing in the Championship last season and for the last six months in League One, but I feel like I'm ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Boss Koeman added: "Ademola is a big talent and, at 19-years-old, he has a big future in the game. I'm really happy that we've been able to bring him here to the club.

"This is part of the vision we have for the club and it's important to give to young players the opportunity so that the team continues to evolve and improve. We believe in the player and in the development of the player which, of course, will take time, but he will have a big part to play in the future of the club."

New Leicester signing Wilfred Ndidi, meanwhile, could be handed an instant debut when the Foxes face Everton. The midfielder completed a reported £15million move from Genk on Wednesday and signed a five-year deal with the champions.

Ndidi's work permit application has been accepted, he trained with his new team-mates on Thursday and boss Ranieri will decide if he is ready for the weekend. Leicester go to Goodison Park in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and, while Ranieri said Ndidi was not a replacement for N'Golo Kante, he hopes he impresses quickly.

"Everything with the work permit is okay," Ranieri told a press conference.

"He trained today. He is available for Saturday and all is fine. I don't know [if he will play]. Let me see him in training. Today was his first [session]. He was okay and I want to see tomorrow and then I'll choose.

"He is a very impressive player with a great future. He is tall and jumps very well for the headers, moves the ball quickly and recovers the ball very well. We have followed him a lot and we hope he will very quickly impress the fans. He's another kind of player [to Kante] - totally different. A lot of big teams wanted him, but he prefers to come with us to improve."

Jamie Vardy is available after completing a three-match ban, while the Foxes will hope Islam Slimani has recovered from a fever which forced him out of Monday's 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.

Danny Drinkwater could also feature after Ranieri rested him for the draw in the English north-east.