With Ademola Lookman it was, sadly for Charlton Athletic fans, more a case of when, rather than if, he would leave the club and move to pastures new and fresh.
That ‘when’ came ten days ago and the highly-regarded 19-year-old left for Everton with an £11m price tag attached to him. Upon signing for the Toffeemen, Lookman said of the move:
“It feels great to be an Everton player. As soon as I heard about Everton’s interest I knew this would be the right place for me. It was great playing in the Championship last season and for the last six months in League One but I feel like I’m ready to make the step up to the Premier League.”
In total, the England Under-20 international made 49 appearances for the Addicks in the Championship and League One where he scored 12 goals and provided three assists. Before his arrival at Goodison, he had featured 25 times for Charlton across all competitions, scoring seven goals – five of these coming in the league.
Today he made his Premier League debut for Everton against big-spending Manchester City, coming on for a little run out in the game’s 90th minute with the game already won – the scoreline already 3-0.
Three minutes and three touches later and teenager Lookman had marked his first goal for his new side (below)
Charlton fans react on Twitter to Lookman strike
For Charlton fans, there is a definite sense of pride in the way that the youngster has moved to the Premier League and scored his first goal for his new club. Charlton fans just simply cannot wait to congratulate him on his first, and Everton’s fourth, goal of the day.
https://twitter.com/ValleyFloydFred/status/820657004519845888
I made a noise only dogs could hear #MadeInCharlton #lookman #cafc
— Smudge (@KBslittlesis) January 15, 2017
Lookman on the scoresheet on his debut. Love that. #EFC #CAFC
— Jacob Monteith (@JacobMonteith94) January 15, 2017
However, some Charlton fans aren’t overly impressed with the way the money hasn’t found its way back into the team – a reported £7.5m rising to £11m.
https://twitter.com/HenryIrving10/status/820656372261982208
The reply to this tweet (below) shows just how some fans feel about the regime behind the ownership of the club. Roland Duchatelet and his partners and associates have seen protests both inside and outside the ground, Henry’s reply saying what a lot of Addicks fans really feel.
https://twitter.com/HenryIrving10/status/820655912813756418
Charlton fan Adam is another one who isn’t happy with the agenda behind the sale.
#cafc pleased for lookman but asset stripping at its finest right there.
— Adam Denton (@redaddick) January 15, 2017
Lewis brings back the positivity with this tweet.
Just when you though there wasn't enough time for Lookman to do much he goes and bags… 🔥
— Lewis (@Lewiswheeler__) January 15, 2017
Jamie congratulates Lookman’s goal, and says that the youth at Charlton are one light in the London darkness.
Had a feeling Lookman would score today. Our academy is about the only thing we have going for us these days. #cafc
— sixyardcecil (@sixyardcecil) January 15, 2017