The account says Amokachi had been discussing a move from Club Brugge to Juventus before those negotiations stalled. Everton then emerged as an opportunity, with the deal reportedly worth a club-record £3 million.
His profile had risen during Nigeria’s impressive World Cup campaign in the United States, where he scored against Bulgaria and Greece. The report also describes the transfer as significant beyond its fee, identifying Amokachi as Everton’s first Black player in two decades.
It was a major step into English football, and one that came with a warning.
Amokachi recalled being told that Everton had a reputation for racism before he agreed to the move.
“Disseram: 'ah, mas é o Everton e eles são um clube racista'. Eu respondi: 'não acho que, se fossem racistas, gastariam tanto com um homem negro da África'”, he said.
The response reflected both his confidence and the uncertainty surrounding a high-profile move. Yet, according to his recollection, the reality inside Goodison Park was very different from the warning he had received.
He remembered the presentation to supporters before a game against Nottingham Forest, even choosing a blue blazer to match Everton’s colours. From his first appearance at the stadium, he felt accepted.
The transition was not effortless. Amokachi recalled having to improve his conditioning for the intensity of English football and spending time with Everton’s reserves.
That period tested his patience, but the supporters’ reaction remained important. When the team struggled, he remembered hearing fans call for his introduction - an early sign that the new signing had begun to connect with the crowd.
Decades later, Amokachi’s arrival remains a reminder that a transfer is shaped by more than a fee or a reputation. The next Everton recruitment story to watch will be whether the club can create that same sense of belonging for its next generation of signings.