Everton new boy Leandro Rodriguez: Who is he?

The Toffees announced their fifth signing of the summer on Friday, Uruguayan striker Leandro Rodriguez.

Everton are believed to have paid around £500,000 for his services as the player inked a four-year deal, but exactly who is Rodriguez and what might he add to Roberto Martinez’s squad?

Leandro Joaquín Rodríguez Telechea is a centre-forward and a dual passport holder (Uruguay and Italy). Prior to moving to Everton, the 22-year-old’s youth and senior careers had been spent at one club: Atletico River Plate Montevideo. Since signing his first senior contract in 2012, Rodriguez has appeared 71 times for River, scoring 19 goals – nine of those came about last season.

One match into the new Uruguayan Primera campaign, Rodriguez had already notched up one strike before his departure in his 72 minutes on the pitch. He did not take pert in River’s second match in light of his proposed move.

He is right-footed, stands at 179 centimetres and will offer Everton an alternative to the in-form Romelu Lukaku, bringing different attacking qualities – Rodriguez is 12 centimetres shorter than the Belgian. Further, Rodriguez will keep his new striker partner accountable and on his toes.

In addition to starting competition, Rodriguez is an important acquisition as the Blues looked to have missed out on Ukrainian attacker Andriy Yarmolenko, at least for the time-being. As well as Everton’s present need for another striker, Rodriguez’s signing is one very much marked by future thinking and planning.

Martinez was glowing of his new signing upon his arrival on Merseyside.

“Leandro is one of those elite, talented youngsters who we like to bring in,” Martinez told the BBC.

“I am not saying that to put pressure on the boy, but he is a player we can be very much excited about in the future.”

The manager added that he does not expect Rodriguez to need time in the club’s under-21s squad before entering first team plans.

“He probably won’t need time with the Under-21s because he has played enough games with his first team in Uruguay in a really competitive league.”

“Hopefully we can provide a path where he can develop and enjoy his football. If he can do that, clearly that’s going to bring goals.”

Indeed, Rodriguez is entering a good environment for development. His signing means there are 24 players under the age of 22 in the Everton first team squad. He will also be the first ever Uruguayan to grace Goodison Park in the blue jersey.

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