The former Galatasaray attacker has completed a €15 million transfer to the French Ligue 1 side, a move which has left a bitter taste of frustrated hope for the retired Super Eagles defender.
Former captain of the Nigerian national team, Joseph Yobo has charged new Monaco boy Henry Onyekwuru to step up his game and justify his high ratings at the Stade Louis II.
OFFICIAL: Monaco have confirmed the signing of Nigeria’s Henry Onyekuru from Everton for a reported fee of €15m. He signed a five-year contract. pic.twitter.com/vhSq1wk4NA
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) August 12, 2019
The Everton legend admitted he would have loved to see the 22-year-old in the colours of the Premier League side that Yobo once played for but has now advised Henry to prove his quality in France and show the Goodison Park fans what they are missing.
“He is a fantastic talent and I would have loved to see his deal [with Everton] go through but work permit restricted him from playing in the Premier League,” Yobo told Goal.
↩️ | Henry Onyekuru has completed a permanent move to @AS_Monaco for an undisclosed fee. #EFC 🔵
— Everton (@Everton) August 12, 2019
Marco Silva’s side had to move the Nigeria international on after their application for a work permit for him was not granted by the British Home Office.
“But he has shown what he’s got at Galatasaray, very exciting to watch and he can score goals as well. I was happy seeing him play for Nigeria national team but he didn’t get that chance to play for Everton because he didn’t play more international games to give him the right,” the Super Eagles legend said.
I want to thank @everton for the opportunity and making it possible for me to experience the best year of my career at @galatasaray . My time in Turkey was nothing short of amazing! The supporters, the club and my teammates made me feel at home from Day 1! We made history Thank U
— Henry Onyekuru (@henryconyekuru) August 12, 2019
“For me as an Evertonian, I feel he is a good prospect and would have been a great talent for Everton. He did very well at Galatasaray and was one of the fans’ favourites and if he had his way, he would have stayed to continue his progress but then, the club wanted to do a different business which was against his wish, ” Yobo continued.
➖ Henry Onyekuru
🗓️ 2018-19 🗓️ 2019-20
🔴 Galatasaray ✅ Monaco➖ Radamel Falcao
🗓️ 2018-19 🗓️ 2019-20
🔴 Monaco ⏳ Galatasaraypic.twitter.com/rmEXeJ9b9N— mackolik (@mackolik) August 12, 2019
“Monaco is a good team but haven’t done well in the past few years. Everything is now new for Henry to prove himself again,” Yobo said.
Onyekwuru joined the Merseysiders in 2017 and has since spent time on loan at Anderlecht and most recently Galatasaray, where he helped the Lions win a domestic double last season.
“He would have been happy at Galatasaray and done more because he knows the club and their culture but in Monaco, he must prove himself. He is a striker, young and still learning the trade.
“I wish him all the best and hope he performs well like he did in Turkey and ultimately bring his form back to the national team.”
Onyekwuru joined the Monegasques on a five-year deal.