Everton Were Impressed By Lookman’s Qualities, Says Koeman

Ronald Koeman has revealed that the exceptional qualities possessed by Ademola Lookman were the reasons Everton signed the English forward.

The Dutchman said that the 19-year-old’s versatility across the forward line was a key reason why he was so intent on recruiting him from Charlton Athletic.

He described Lookman as a player who knew what the club wanted and who believed they can make progress as soon as possible.

“First of all, we have been really impressed with his (Lookman) qualities. We will see what happens but he will be involved with the first team because we need to see how his qualities compare to our first-team players.

“He can play from the left side, he can play out of the right wing position (and) he can play like a second striker. He is fast and his movement is very dangerous. He is a player who scores goals.

“I spoke to the boy and he knows what we want, how he needs to train and play, and his behaviour. He’s only 19 and we know it’s difficult for young players to come into the first team at the level of the Premier League, but he’s the type who we believe can make the step as soon as possible,” Koeman told evertontv.

Lookman’s switch on Thursday afternoon was Everton’s first business in the 2017 winter transfer window.

He arrived at Goodison Park on a four-and-a-half-year deal, having scored 12 goals in 49 appearances for Charlton, where he had risen through their academy to first-team stardom.