Theo Walcott: Everton sign forward from Arsenal
Everton have completed the signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal in a deal worth more than £20m on a three-and-a-half year contract.
Theo made his debut for Arsenal in August 2006, coming on a substitute against Aston Villa in the first match of the season and made an immediate impact, teeing up Gilberto for a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.
Theo scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 2007 League Cup final against Chelsea and became only the 18th player in our history to hit 100 goals when he netted in a 2-0 win over Sutton United in the FA Cup back in February 2017.
Theo was also part of two Arsenal Emirates FA Cup-winning squads (2015 and 2017), scoring the opening goal in the 2015 final in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
In May 2006, Theo became England’s youngest-ever senior player, making his debut aged 17 years and 75 days against Hungary. During his time at Arsenal, he played regularly for England, making 47 appearances and scoring eight goals. This included famously scoring a hat-trick against Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in 2008, the youngest to claim a treble for the Three Lions.
Walcott, 28, becomes Sam Allardyce's second signing of the January transfer window following the £27m paid for striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.
The move brings to an end Walcott's 12-year stay at Arsenal, where he scored 108 goals in 397 appearances.
"There's something about this move I've just felt good about," he said.
Walcott's former club Southampton were also interested in a deal.
But Walcott, who has not started a league game for Arsenal this season, believes Allardyce can reignite his career.
"It felt like it was time for me to move on [from Arsenal]," he said.
"It was sad but it's exciting at the same time and I want to reignite my career and push Everton to win things as they have done before.
He added: "The manager is very hungry and it's just what I need. I've had a couple of chats with him and straightaway I felt that hunger and that desire that he wanted from me."
In a statement, Arsenal said: "We all thank Theo for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he did not want Walcott to leave but said he could not guarantee the England international game time and admitted that was a "sensitive subject" in a World Cup year.
Walcott, who has 47 England caps, has not featured for his country since the friendly against Spain in November 2016.
Arsenal plan to reinvest the funds, with concrete interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom.
They are also hopeful of signing Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a deal that would involve Alexis Sanchez going the other way.
Everton have completed the signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal in a deal worth more than £20m on a three-and-a-half year contract.
Theo made his debut for Arsenal in August 2006, coming on a substitute against Aston Villa in the first match of the season and made an immediate impact, teeing up Gilberto for a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.
Theo scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 2007 League Cup final against Chelsea and became only the 18th player in our history to hit 100 goals when he netted in a 2-0 win over Sutton United in the FA Cup back in February 2017.
Theo was also part of two Arsenal Emirates FA Cup-winning squads (2015 and 2017), scoring the opening goal in the 2015 final in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
In May 2006, Theo became England’s youngest-ever senior player, making his debut aged 17 years and 75 days against Hungary. During his time at Arsenal, he played regularly for England, making 47 appearances and scoring eight goals. This included famously scoring a hat-trick against Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in 2008, the youngest to claim a treble for the Three Lions.
Walcott, 28, becomes Sam Allardyce's second signing of the January transfer window following the £27m paid for striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.
The move brings to an end Walcott's 12-year stay at Arsenal, where he scored 108 goals in 397 appearances.
"There's something about this move I've just felt good about," he said.
Walcott's former club Southampton were also interested in a deal.
But Walcott, who has not started a league game for Arsenal this season, believes Allardyce can reignite his career.
"It felt like it was time for me to move on [from Arsenal]," he said.
"It was sad but it's exciting at the same time and I want to reignite my career and push Everton to win things as they have done before.
He added: "The manager is very hungry and it's just what I need. I've had a couple of chats with him and straightaway I felt that hunger and that desire that he wanted from me."
In a statement, Arsenal said: "We all thank Theo for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he did not want Walcott to leave but said he could not guarantee the England international game time and admitted that was a "sensitive subject" in a World Cup year.
Walcott, who has 47 England caps, has not featured for his country since the friendly against Spain in November 2016.
Arsenal plan to reinvest the funds, with concrete interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom.
They are also hopeful of signing Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a deal that would involve Alexis Sanchez going the other way.
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