Bassala Sambou has agreed professional terms with Premier League outfit Everton FC...
Coventry City striker Bassala Sambou is set to join Premier League side Everton FC as part of a compensation deal.
The 18-year old joined the Sky Blues as an Under-15 and spent two years in the City Academy before signing his Scholarship deal in June 2014. Sambou also made his senior debut under Tony Mowbray in this year’s FA Cup first round against Northampton.
The striker impressed with 25 goals at youth level last season, whilst representing the club's Under-18s and Under-21s sides and was particularly prolific during City's memorable FA Youth Cup run. Sambou scored eight times during 2015/16 FA Youth Cup competition, including a crucial 90th minute equaliser against Arsenal.
Coventry City FC Technical Director Mark Venus admits the club were reluctant for Sambou to leave:
“We will be sad to see Bassala leave the club after his time with the City Academy, but want to wish him success for the future.
“It was with great reluctance that we accepted terms for Bassala to leave and the greatest efforts were made to keep him as a Coventry City player.
“The club understands that the opportunity presented to Bassala would have been hard to turn down and respect his decision to move on. We have worked hard alongside Everton FC to agree terms that give Sambou's footballing career the best chance of developing successfully.
“Coventry City FC would like to thank Everton FC for their professional conduct during negotiations and we wish Bassala all the best in Merseyside.”