![Alex Iwobi signs for Fulham](https://www.naijanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/f13e9860-491b-11ee-b000-cf4b1bb6bd2a.jpg)
Recall that Alex Iwobi left Everton for Fulham on the deadline day of last summer’s transfer window after the club had tried to extend his contract all to no avail.
If the versatile Nigerian player had not joined Fulham for a transfer fee that could reach £22 million, he would have left Everton for free next summer as he had just a season left on his deal then.
Alex Iwobi who joined Everton from Arsenal in 2019 was one of the club’s most important players in their last two seasons in which they struggled from start to finish.
He was named Everton Players’ Player of the Year at the end of the previous season after helping the club to escape relegation in two successive Premier League seasons.
Hence, the Nigeria international was not expected to leave the club at least this season even though he had just a season left on his contract.
In an interview with The Athletic, Iwobi declined to provide more details concerning what transpired between him and Everton before he decided to join Fulham on transfer deadline day. He however stressed that he enjoyed his over four seasons at the Merseyside club.
“It wasn’t an easy decision (to leave). I enjoyed my time there, especially the last couple of years. I felt like they warmed to me”, Alex Iwobi said.
“At the same time, I felt I needed a new challenge, and Fulham are giving me the platform to express myself and do that.
“There were a lot of talks behind closed doors — there are things that I’m not allowed to say — but I feel like it was a decision from the club and from me that the best solution was to leave. I hope they do well, I have a lot of respect for them and left on good terms.”