Everton sign Samuel Eto'o

Everton have signed former Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o on a two-year contract.
The Cameroon international, 33, was a free agent after being released by Chelsea at the end of last season.

He becomes manager Roberto Martinez's sixth signing of the summer.

Eto'o -- four times crowned African Footballer of the Year -- was keen to stay in the Premier League, despite interest from Ajax, and was considered by Liverpool before they completed the signing of Mario Balotelli from AC Milan on Monday.

The striker told Everton's website: "I am very happy to be here, I am looking forward greatly to putting on the Blue shirt of Everton.

"I have been very impressed by the style of play Everton adopt. I could see straight away that at this club I will have the opportunity to play football.

"I had the chance to speak with the manager over the last few days and we agreed that this was what we would do.

"I was impressed with his enthusiasm but also by the knowledge of football that Roberto Martinez carries, his vision of football and how he reads football. I still think I can learn a great deal from him here."

Martinez had been looking to bring in an extra forward, despite breaking the club's transfer record to buy Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea for 28 million pounds on July 30.

Lukaku limped off during the second half of Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal, while fellow striker Arouna Kone does not yet have a return date despite returning to training after 10 months out with a knee injury.

In addition, attacking midfielder Ross Barkley -- another goalscoring option -- will be out until at least October after sustaining medial knee ligament damage in training on Aug. 15.

Martinez said: "I met him and we had a very good chat about football in general and I was impressed about the hunger he still has.

"For someone who has achieved nearly everything, he still has the desire he had at 15 when he went to Spain and showed what he could do. For many reasons he has got a point to prove. 



"We are very excited and I think Everton is the perfect home for him. The fans will make him ready and feel sharp but we have got to be a bit patient with the fitness levels and make sure he is back to his best."

ESPN.com