Victor Anichebe

Victor Anichebe (born April 23, 1988 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a young football (soccer) currently playing for Everton F.C.. He made his first team debut on January 28, 2006 as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton's FA Cup 4th round tie against Chelsea F.C., replacing Simon Davies. Several top pundits expect Anichebe to go on to do great things in the game.

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. Victor and his family lived initially in Toxteth before settling in Crosby.

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

His second Everton appearance came on 22 April, 2006 when he was brought on with 5 minutes to go against Birmingham City. May 2006 saw Victor Anichebe pick up the 'Reserve Player of the season Award' for the 2005/06 season.

On the 7 May, Victor Anichebe scored his first Premiership goal against West Bromwich Albion F.C.. The 18-year-old turned his man and shot through the legs of Albion keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak.

Victor is becoming a fan favourite at Everton as he topped the pre-season top scoring with 4 goals in 6 appearances including a brace (grouping) at Bury F.C. and the fans occasionally sing the Black Lace (band) song 'Do Conga Line' to his name i.e. 'Do do doo, Victor Anichebe!'

Anichebe scored his first two Premiership goals of the 2006/07 campaign in a 3-0 win against Newcastle United on 30 December, 2006. He struck his third Premiership goal of the season in a 4-1 victory over Fulham on Good Friday of 2007.

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

International career

In February 2006, Anichebe, nicknamed "the pharaoh in the area", highlighted his ambition to one day play for Nigeria national football team, "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 it was England that gave him his first shot at international football, albeit for the England Under-19s. In late August 2006, Anichebe was called up to play in a friendly match against Holland on 5 September. Victor withdrew from the squad and in September 2006 he was called up to the Nigeria under 20 squad.

The confusion continued as Anichebe failed to report to the Nigerian training camp. Much was made in the Nigerian press about who Anichebe would end up representing but in March 2007 the young striker was called up by new Super Eagles manager Berti Vogts to represent the Nigerian senior squad. Anichebe joined up with the squad but did not feature in any games.