Toffees win race for Orenuga

Everton clinch signing of Southend starlet

Last updated: 2nd March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Toffees win race for Orenuga

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Everton have beaten a host of clubs to the signing of Southend United starlet Femi Orenuga.

The 15-year-old, who became the club's youngest-ever player when he featured in the FA Cup earlier this season, will sign an Academy scholarship, on 1st July.

Orenuga has attracted the attention of a number of top-flight clubs and he trained with Manchester United late last year.

But now Everton have agreed an undisclosed fee with The Shrimpers.

Orenuga believes the chance to join a Premier League club was too good to refuse after seeing a number of youngsters progress into Moyes' first-team.

"I'm really excited about the move," he told Southend's official website.

"When I went to Everton I saw how many youth players had gone through into the first team and I think I will have a better chance with them than some of the other sides who were interested.

"I will be sad to leave though as I have really enjoyed my time at Southend and Ricky Duncan and Luke Hobbs have really brought the best out of me.

"But it was too good an opportunity to turn down; I might never get another chance to prove myself at a Premier League side."

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