Victor Anichebe

Victor Anichebe

Personal information
Full name	Victor Chinedu Anichebe
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Everton
Number	28
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:18, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Victor Chinedu Anichebe (born April 23, 1988 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a young footballer currently playing for Everton. Anichebe was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to Liverpool, England at age 1, his family lived initially in Toxteth before settling in Crosby. He has been described as a fast and powerful player, in the mould of a "traditional" centre forward, and is a product of Everton's Youth Academy.

Club career

Having made his reserve team debut as a 15 year-old, Anichebe made his first team debut less than two years later on January 28 2006, as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton's FA Cup 4th round tie against Chelsea, replacing Simon Davies.

Victor signed his first professional contract with Everton in April 2006, putting pen to paper on a deal that would keep him at Goodison Park until 2008.

His second Everton appearance came on April 22 2006 when he was brought on with five minutes to go against Birmingham City F.C.. On May 2006, Anichebe picked up the 'Reserve Player of the season Award' for the 2005–06 season. Shortly after, on May 7, he scored his first Premiership goal against West Bromwich Albion. The 18-year-old turned his man and shot through the legs of Albion keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak.

Anichebe quickly became a fan favourite at Everton as he topped the 2006–07 pre-season scoring chart with four goals in six appearances including a brace at Bury.

Anichebe scored his first two Premiership goals of the 2006–07 campaign in a 3-0 win against Newcastle United F.C. on December 30 2006.

On May 2 2007, it was announced that Anichebe had extended his current contract with Everton until the summer of 2011.

In the 2007/08 season, the teenage striker struck four times in the UEFA Cup, against Metalist Kharkiv, Greek side Larissa, German's 1. FC Nürnberg and SK Brann of Norway after coming on as a late second half substitute in many of the games. He was dubbed Everton's European "Secret Weapon" by the fans and media because of his success in the competion. His success in the UEFA cup is believed to be because of European defenders in-abilities to deal with his fast-pace and strength.

On May 7 2008, Anichebe was voted by Everton fans to be the young player of the season for 2007/08.

International career

In February 2006, Anichebe, nicknamed "The Pharaoh"[1], highlighted his ambition to one day play for Nigeria,

"I would want to represent Nigeria because that is where I'm from. I go back every year for Christmas and have a lot of family there. We moved to England when I was just one year old, but I still feel Nigerian."

However Victor did not appear for the country of his birth until 26 March 2008 in an Olympic games qualifying match against South Africa. Anichebe came off the bench to score the final goal in a 3-0 victory for Nigeria. He made his first start for Nigeria alongside fellow Everton player Yakubu in a friendly against Austria on 27th May 2008 being replaced at half time.

He was selected to represent Nigeria at the 2008 Bejing Summer Olympic Games and on 10 August 2008 he scored Nigeria's second goal in their match against Japan.

Statistics

Club Performance

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Everton	2007–08	18	1	1	0	4	0	8	4	31	5
	2006–07	19	3	1	0	3	1	-	-	23	4
	2005–06	2	1	1	0	-	-	-	-	3	2
	Total	39	5	3	0	7	1	7	4	57	10

References

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/28143/young-player-of-the-season.html

External links

• Victor Anichebe at Soccerbase