Everton Sign QPR Teenager – A New Addition To Their Exciting Pool Of Youngsters
Everton are having a busy summer with a host of new arrivals and Ronald Koeman is keen to add more names prior to the forthcoming campaign. Although they were forced to sell their contract rebel Romelu Lukaku to Premier League counterparts Manchester United, the Toffees have responded well with the signings of Spanish youth international Sandro Ramirez, former Ajax skipper Davy Klaassen, young Nigerian hitman Henry Onyekuru, along with custodian Jordan Pickford and defender Tom Heaton – two of England’s hottest prospects.
They have signed England legend Wayne Rooney from the Red Devils, who left them back in 2004 at the age of 18. Also, talks are on-going with Swansea City for their £32m playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, who Koeman has identified as a replacement for Ross Barkley – the Englishman who rejected a new deal and wants to depart in coming weeks.
The Toffees, meanwhile, are also concentrating on their youth development and are arguably England’s strongest U23 outfit right now following their Premier League2 triumph. The likes of Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, Matthew Pennington, Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning have progressed through the academy ranks and broke into Everton’s senior squad. Also, the signings of Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have enriched their youth set up.
Everton youngsters have contributed significantly in England’s U20 World Cup victory – first major triumph for the Three Lions in 50 years. Jonjo Kenny, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman, Kieran Dowell and Callum Connolly – five of their starlets played a pivotal role throughout the competition with Calvert-Lewin scoring the solitary goal in the final against Venezuela that earned his side a historic win.
Josh Bowler, the 18-year old Englishman, is Everton’s latest recruit for David Unsworth’s under-23 squad who is set to join their pool of talented youngsters. Bowler, who signed his first professional contract with Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers back in February, was being closely monitored by club’s scouts and an initial £500,000 offer was rejected by QPR. But their improved bid of £1.5million (further £2.5 million add-ons) has now been accepted reluctantly (Daily Mirror)
Les Ferdinand, QPR’s director of football, tried hard to keep him for at least another campaign:
“I had a chat with Josh and his dad in May and told him that he would play for our first team quicker than Everton’s. I made all the points about the advantages of being here at QPR and hoped it resonated with him. We hoped to keep hold of him, but when a Premier League club comes knocking on the door, they have the finances to make a move.”
Bowler, who made his senior debut in season’s final fixture against Norwich, expressed his delight after joining the Merseysiders. He tweeted:
Delighted to have signed for Everton football club! Can’t wait to get started pic.twitter.com/miv6s8uxBK
— Josh Bowler (@JoshBowler10) July 7, 2017
Bowler is known for his direct wing play and impressed in both the flanks for QPR reserves last season. He has pace, strong dribbling skills along with admirable crossing attribute. Bowler is a two-footed player with great sense of passing and finishing. He will add more firepower upfront for the U23s and holds a bright future ahead with Everton seniors, just like his new teammates.