Thursday, 31st July, 2014
Roberto Martinez feels Everton’s club-record £28m deal to bring in Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is worth every penny.
The Belgian international, who spent the 2013/14 season on loan at Goodison Park, scored 16 goals in 33 appearances for the Toffees.
Lukaku’s strikes were vital in helping Everton finish the Premier League campaign in fifth spot, thereby qualifying for the Europa League.
And Martinez, who was ecstatic after roping in the 21-year-old on a permanent deal, believes Lukaku has the ability to become a club legend.
The Spaniard went on to add that the Merseyside club’s “relentless pursuit” and huge effort in signing the forward is well worth it.
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“I can’t put it into words how excited we are and how much we are looking forward to seeing Rom enjoying his football again at Goodison Park”, Martinez explained to his club’s official site.
"It has been a relentless pursuit from our point of view. It had to be a club-record transfer fee and it is well worth every penny and effort that we put behind it.
“I think it’s one of those days that isn’t just important for the season but a very, very significant day in the history of our football club.
”Sometimes when you sign a player, you bring excitement and I think we know exactly what we’re going to get with Rom.
“The feeling in the dressing room was to try to get him back on a permanent basis to get a bit of continuity and to grow into a very successful team.
“I think every Evertonian will tell you we are so, so excited and we are touched that Rom has decided to join us, because it means a lot for us. Now we are desperate to push him to become a very special player in our history.”
Lukaku, who signed a five-year deal with Everton yesterday, has 33 caps and 10 goals for Belgium to his name.
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