Everton announce signing of African gem in latest deadline day transfer
Everton have signed Francis Gomez from Nigerian side Sporting Supreme before sending him straight out on loan, the club have confirmed.
The Toffees announced [30 August] that the 18-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper at Goodison Park before being loaned to Lyon for the 2024/25 season.
Gomez has joined the club’s academy after impressing in Nigeria but is now set to continue his development in Ligue 1 with the French giants.
Everton secure new academy prospect in Francis Gomez
Described as “one of the [most] highly-rated talents from mainland Gambia” [Fody Manneh], fans will need to keep a close eye on Gomez’s move to France this season.
The Toffees seem to be doing a lot of business with the Ligue 1 side in recent days, with Orel Mangala joining on a season-long loan and Ernest Nuamah nearing a deal on transfer deadline day [Foot Mercato].
It will be a deal that confuses some of the fanbase at Goodison Park, however, with Kevin Thelwell sanctioning the exits of several academy gems at Finch Farm [Liverpool Echo].
Sean Dyche has been rather picky when it comes to promoting youngsters to the first-team squad since his appointment in January 2023, with the call-up of Roman Dixon against Tottenham a rare one-off.
However, if Gomez can secure some valuable minutes on the pitch with Lyon, he could return to Merseyside next summer with some proper experience under his belt, ready to fight for a spot.
With Mangala being added to the squad ahead of the transfer deadline, and Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Idrissa Gana Gueye available, game time would be hard to come by this season.
Lyon will also be playing in the Europa League this season, having finished in sixth last season, so he the youngster will be given plenty of opportunities to prove himself outside of England.
In other Everton news, Sky Sports have shared a Dele Alli transfer update following talks at Goodison Park.
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