Amadou Onana in awe of ‘unbelievable’ Everton fans were turned his head to Goodison Park
Everton made big moves in order to sign Amadou Onana but it appears that it wasn’t just those within Finch Farm who influenced his decision.
The Belgian international has revealed that the support he saw from the stands at Goodison Park was enough to convince him that the Toffees was where he wanted to play his football this season.
Onana has returned to Merseyside after spending the World Cup in Qatar with Belgium where he was knocked out in the group stage to eventual semi-finalists Morocco and Croatia.
“That (watching a game) was amazing. At that point, I hadn’t signed yet but after that, I said straight to my sister (his agent) ‘I am definitely signing’ because I had never had something like that before,” he said to the Liverpool Echo.
“I missed it. The World Cup has been great, but I missed it. There is nothing else like Goodison. It is just different, I can’t really explain it but it is different and I have missed the atmosphere.
“It has been amazing having their support. Even though we have had setbacks and tough moments they have not let us down and that is one of the big points for me, that massive support we have got is just unbelievable.”
More to come
If Evertonians can remain firmly behind their team even in trying circumstances, such as a potential relegation battle again this season, then players will be queuing up to sign for the Toffees.
Part of the draw of Everton is the incredibly loud home support that makes Goodison Park such an intimidating place to come and play football for away players and even supporters.
That might be a problem once the club move to their brand-new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium as the fans learn to adjust to their new surroundings so they need to take advantage of it while they still can.
If Onana was impressed by it as a full international with one of the World’s best national teams then surely loads of players would feel the same if they get the chance to have a look.
The Premier League and subsequent money that comes with it sells itself but when multiple English clubs are in one race, it is things like this that can turn the tide in Everton’s direction.