Everton sign Samuel Eto’o

Everton F.C. have completed the signing of former Barcelona, Chelsea and Internazionale striker Samuel Eto’o on a free transfer.

The Cameroon international, 33, joins the Toffees on a two-year deal, much to the delight of manager Roberto Martinez.

“I’m very much excited because he is a perfect fit for what we have in the dressing room,” Martinez told the club’s official website.

“If there is anything you can use from Samuel Eto’o, it’s his appreciation of space and knowing how to move in the 18-yard box, create space and be a real threat in the final third. That’s something we can use straight away.

“From Champions League finals, to being a reference in his national team where he won Olympic Gold, to playing in World Cups – everything in football, he has been through.

“He wants to still learn and push himself and for the players around him, he is going to be a really good example. He feels ready to do that – he is at an age and moment of his career where he is ready to pass messages on.

“But he is still as hungry as ever to reach good individual targets and do whatever he can for the team.”

Prior to committing his future to Goodison Park, Eto’o had been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Roma, but the player seems more than happy — some might say delighted — to join the Everton “family.”

“I have already met Tim Howard, Sylvain Distin, the captain Phil Jagielka and some of the other players,” Eto’o said.

“It is exactly as Roberto Martinez said to me; the Club is run like a family and I want to establish myself as an integral part of that family as soon as possible.”

Eto’o could feature against former club Chelsea at Goodison Park at the weekend.

“I have Eto’o but he is 32 years old, maybe 35, who knows?” You might recall these words. They belong to none other than Jose Mourinho, as expected.

Instead of taking the opportunity to further bash Mourinho for the aforementioned comments, Eto’o took the high(er) road on Wednesday, thanking the Portuguese for giving him the opportunity to play in the English Premier League.

“The only thing I have to say regarding Jose Mourinho is to thank him,” Eto’o added. “It’s down to Jose Mourinho that I had the opportunity to be accepted into the Premier League and play some great matches. I thank him for that.”

Now then, will Samuel Eto’o prove to be a good signing for Everton?