For the Everton talent who turned down Manchester City and Liverpool, a dream comes true
Halid Djankpata, a talented young midfielder from Everton, fulfilled his dream this week by making his youth international debut for Italy.
Born in Togo, Djankpata had long harbored the ambition to represent the country where
his family relocated when he was just a few months old.
His journey to donning the Italian jersey saw him decline opportunities to play for both Togo
and Benin, his parents’ homeland, where he once participated in a youth friendly match.
Djankpata also turned down offers from Serie A clubs deemed too distant from his
Italian home, only to eventually find himself on Merseyside with Everton.
Reflecting on his call-up, the 18-year-old expressed disbelief, stating it was a dream come true.
He featured in Italy Under-19s’ 3-0 victory against Austria, earning praise from coach Bernardo Corradi for his performance with an experimental lineup.
Djankpata, who draws inspiration from football icons Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba,
shared a photo of himself in the team lineup on Instagram, captioning it as “The first one to remember.”
Growing up in Lecco, Italy, Djankpata’s footballing journey began after his family’s move from Togo.
Trials with Atalanta and Brescia followed, but the distance from home led him to reconsider.
His family’s subsequent relocation to the UK when he was 11 opened new doors, catching the attention of Premier League scouts while playing for Droylesden.
Despite interest from top clubs like Everton, Liverpool, and Manchester City, Djankpata opted
for Everton, citing their history and project alignment with his ambitions.
Since joining Everton, Djankpata has progressed through the academy ranks, captaining the
U18s under Leighton Baines and breaking into the U21s under Paul Tait.
His dedication and progress culminated in signing his first professional contract
with Everton until 2025, reflecting on his journey with excitement and maturity, expressing his eagerness to continue pushing forward.
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