Sandro Ramirez became Everton’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window after sealing a switch from Malaga. Here are a six things about the new Blues forward you may not have known.
1. La Masia graduate Born in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, Sandro started out at his hometown club before making the bold decision to move to mainland Spain at the tender age of 14 to link up with Barcelona’s esteemed La Masia academy.
He followed the likes of Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets by progressing through the ranks to appear for the first team.
He will become the third La Masia graduate to play for Everton, after Mikel Arteta and Gerard Deulofeu.
2. A keen scuba diver A goal-getter on the pitch, Sandro has a very different hobby away from it.
The 21-year-old enjoys scuba diving in his spare time during the off-season, particularly when visiting friends and family back home on the Canary Islands.
3. A sharp-shooter Capable of playing in a number of roles across the frontline, Sandro’s prolific work in front of goal throughout the 2016/17 campaign attracted interest from a host of clubs across the continent.
The forward netted 16 goals in 31 appearances for Malaga, with 14 of those coming in La Liga.
Sandro averaged a goal every 165 minutes in league competition last term for 11th-placed Malaga, a better ratio than Barcelona’s Neymar (204 minutes), Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann (192 minutes) and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema (174 minutes).
4. A fan of the number nine The number nine - in some form - has always featured on the back of Sandro’s shirt since he turned professional.
He first had the number 29 with Barcelona in 2014/15, before taking number 19 a year later. Sandro then kept the number 19 after sealing a free transfer to Malaga in the summer of 2016.
It is yet to be confirmed what number he will wear for Everton.
5. Champions League winner Sandro played three games in the group stages of Barcelona’s triumphant 2014/15 Champions League campaign, scoring in a 3-1 over Ajax, while also appearing against PSG and Apoel Nicosia.
Indeed, while Sandro made only 32 appearances over two seasons for the Catalan giants, he managed to leave the Nou Camp with a staggering seven trophies.
As well as becoming a Champions League winner, he was also part of the Barcelona squad to win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, one European Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.
6. Hungry for success After being part of the Malaga side, who finished the game with nine men, to hold Barcelona to a goalless draw at the Nou Camp in November, Sandro’s second game against his former club was even more memorable.
He netted the opening goal, springing an offside trap before taking a touch and emphatically firing past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen into the bottom corner.
The Boquerones added a second late on to ensure a 2-0 win.
Celebrating the victory - that all-but confirmed Malaga’s safety in the division - with his teammates and Malaga supporters at the full-time whistle, it was reported in local media that Barcelona forward Luis Suarez approached Sandro and said, “Don't forget the hand that fed you”.
But Sandro’s reported response was quick and clear, “I eat with Malaga”.
Speaking afterwards, he explained his celebrations were solely down to his hunger to succeed with his new employers, while also taking the opportunity to underline his appreciation for the club that helped him become a professional.
“To be honest, I don't think I over-celebrated, it was just a normal celebration given how important winning the game was for us,” he said. “I can only say that if I am anyone in football, it's thanks to Barcelona. They treated me amazingly there and I will remember that for my whole life.
“But now I'm indebted to Malaga and it was a really important goal. But if [the celebration] offended anyone, I apologise. I was really happy.”
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