Rafa gets his man as Everton complete deadline-day striker deal
Everton finalised their fifth signing of the window with the addition of Salomon Rondon from Dalian Professional, with the player once again linking up with Toffees boss Rafa Benitez.
The transfer was completed ahead of Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline after the Venezuela international forward terminated his contract in China to complete a free transfer return to the Premier League.
The 31-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the option of a third at Goodison Park.
Rondon follows Asmir Begovic, Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and Andy Lonergan through the door on Merseyside this summer.
Welcome to Everton, @salorondon23! pic.twitter.com/AvoCET61bU
— Everton (@Everton) August 31, 2021
The powerful forward played under Benitez on loan at Newcastle and scored 12 goals in 33 appearances for the Magpies. He also made 120 appearances for West Brom, where he scored 28 times.
Since leaving England, Rondon scored 14 goals in 28 games for Dalian and also had a spell at CSKA Moscow.
Calvert-Lewin injury blow
Meanwhile, Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has withdrawn from the England squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
The 24-year-old sustained a thigh strain during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Brighton and will remain at Finch Farm to be assessed by the Toffees’ medical staff while Gareth Southgate’s 24-man Three Lions squad begin their preparations at St George’s Park.
Calvert-Lewin, who scored his third goal of the campaign at Brighton, has 11 England caps and four international goals.
The upcoming triple-header brings with it England’s two toughest-looking matches in Group I.
The Three Lions head to Budapest to take on Hungary on Thursday and face Poland in Warsaw after what is expected to be a Wembley cakewalk against minnows Andorra.
The post Rafa gets his man as Everton complete deadline-day striker deal appeared first on TEAMtalk.