City have completed the signing of forward Frankie Okoronkwo on a season-long loan from Premier League side Everton.
The 20-year-old can play anywhere across the frontline and enjoyed his first taste of professional football last season, featuring 22 times for Salford City on loan in Sky Bet League Two. He notched his first senior goal for the Ammies on his debut with a late winner against MK Dons.
Francis Okoronkwo’s is off the mark for Salford City ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ADwW8Ur3zP
— 𝐓𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐕 (@ToffeeTVEFC) September 2, 2024
Okoronkwo signed for Everton from Sunderland in 2021 as a 16-year-old and has further developed his game with the Toffees, making 40 appearances in Premier League 2 with 14 goal contributions.
The attacker has already had a taste of playing at the Sincil Bank, featuring and scoring in a Vertu Trophy tie against the Imps. City won that tie 4-2, after leading 1-0 at half time.
Okoronkwo’s introduction triggered a fight back, with him scoring to level the game, then creating another for Tom Cannon, before City bagged three more.
Following confirmation of his arrival, the forward said:
“There’s a lot of little nuances in men’s football that you don’t get in Academy football. I got a taste in League Two last season – now it’s time to take a step up and see what I can do in League One.
“Once I knew Lincoln City were interested it was a no brainer to come. There’s a rich history of top players coming here on loan and getting minutes, and hopefully I can do the same.
“I watched Saturday’s win at the LNER Stadium and can already see how I can fit into the team. The supporters were immense and I can’t wait to play in front of them.”
#EFCU21 striker Francis Okoronkwo has signed a new contract until the end of June 2026. ✍️
Congrats, Frankie! 🔵
➡️ https://t.co/LxLbfzymQ1 pic.twitter.com/VGm1JNOoIU
— Everton Academy (@EvertonAcademy) November 14, 2023
Head coach Michael Skubala mentioned the recent injury news around Jack Moylan when outlining how important the new arrival is.
“Frankie is a young player with a really interesting package of attributes and a skill set that we believe can enable him to contribute for us across all of the forward positions. This is particularly important with Jack Moylan’s injury.
“He will have benefited massively from his first loan and is well equipped to make an impact in our team immediately as well as providing us with more attacking options through his versatility, physical and technical qualities.”
Any reinforcements are good at this stage, and while he might not play left back, he will add depth and value to our attacking options. These press releases are always well planned, and I find this line fascinating from Michael: “a young player with a really interesting package of attributes”.
I also find it interesting that his Everton contract is up at the end of the 25/26 season. As with TJ Eyoma, a successful loan and being made to feel welcome could well lead to something more. As I’ve said before, interesting times.
Welcome to Sincil Bank, Frankie.