TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Everton finally completed Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku signing for £28 million after a decent performance on Loan at Everton last season. With a five-year contract at Goodison Park, Lukaku’s transfer becomes the club’s purchase record.
“This signing is not just important for this season. It is a significant day in the history of this football club,” Everton boss Roberto Martinez said on Thursday, July 31, 2014, as reported by BBC.
Over the last two seasons, Chelsea decided to put Lukaku on loan in two different clubs. With West Brom Albion, Lukaku showed impressive performance with 17 goals in 38 games. He continued to show a stable performance with Everton in season 2013-2014, collecting 15 goals in 31 appearances.
After signing his contract with Everton, Lukaku said he wanted to be in a club that would give him a chance to play.
“I decided very quickly i wanted to come back. This is the place I belong,” Lukaku said.
Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho revealed that his decision to sell Lukaku was because it would be hard to promise first-choice striker for Lukaku. Chelsea had brought Diego Costa and Didier Drogba this season to strengthen the attacking line.
“He (Lukaku) wanted to play for Chelsea but wanted to be the first-choice striker. That’s very difficult to promise,” Mourinho said.
BBC | ADITYA BUDIMAN