Veteran striker Samuel Eto’o completed his transfer from Everton to Sampdoria on Tuesday, confirmed by the Toffees, bringing an end to a marriage that lasted only six months:

The former Cameroon international joined Everton in the summer of 2014 as a free agent, staying in the Premier League after his contract with Chelsea ran out.

Eto’o showed glimpses of his old self in his first few starts for his new club, but his performances soon started to drop. According to WhoScored.com, the forward hasn’t scored a goal since October.

Rumours started to surface there was some kind of disagreement between the player and Roberto Martinez, leading to the transfer speculation. As shared by The Times‘ Tony Barrett, Martinez refuted that notion:

Martinez commented in a statement on Everton’s official website, upon announcement of Eto’o’s departure:

We thank Samuel for his efforts and for bringing his know-how to the team and to Finch Farm where he passed on some of his terrific experience to all of the young players in particular.

The memory of his performances in Europe stand out especially. On behalf of all Evertonians, we wish him well for the next chapter in his career.

Eto’o’s greatest successes came with Inter Milan, winning the treble in the 2009-10 season and establishing himself as one of the world’s best forwards. His family remained in Italy after he completed a move to Anzhi Makhachkala, and they still live in Milan to this day, per Gianlucadimarzio.com’s David Amoyal.

A move back to Serie A will allow him to spend more time with them in the twilight of his career, and a club of Sampdoria’s stature will gladly accommodate the veteran, who is still hugely popular in Italy. According to Sport Witness, fans started to arrange a massive welcome party as soon as rumours of his arrival emerged:

Eto’o no longer possesses the raw pace and power that made him one of the most feared strikers in the world, but he’s still an excellent finisher with great instincts and the experience to be effective in virtually any system.

It never hurts to add a veteran, effective scorer for a minimal investment, and Eto’o will now have the chance to prove he still has a lot to offer.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1zpHzZY
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J