Meet Victor Anichebe, Everton's Reserve Player of the Season in 2005 and 2006. | Diaspora Stars.

Victor Anichebe

Anichebe was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to Liverpool, Merseyside, England when he was a child. His family came from Toxteth before settling in Crosby. He is the cousin of Olympian Anyika Onuora, former professional football player Iffy Onuora, and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora. He is also an Olympic silver medalist, having represented Nigeria in the 2008 Games.

Anichebe made his Everton reserve-team debut when he was 15 years old, and his first-team debut less than two years later, on 27 February 2006, as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton's FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Chelsea, replacing Simon Davies. In April 2006, he signed his first professional contract with Everton, a two-year deal. He scored his first Premier League goal against West Bromwich Albion on May 7, 2006. He was named Everton's Reserve Player of the Season in 2005-06. Anichebe scored his first two Premier League goals of the 2006-07 season on December 30, 2006, in a 3-0 win over Newcastle United. As Everton qualified for the UEFA Cup, his contract was extended by four years at the end of the season. Anichebe scored four goals in the UEFA Cup after coming on as a late second-half substitute against Metalist Kharkiv, AE Larissa, 1. FC Nürnberg, and Brann of Norway. He was voted Everton fans' Young Player of the Season at the end of the season.