Everton’s new talisman and hopeful £25million saviour Beto was working at a KFC in Portugal just four years ago and playing for an amateur side
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Everton have confirmed the £25million signing of Portuguese striker Beto, but the 25-year-old was living a much different life just four years ago.
The Toffees confirmed the deal on Sunday after the forward underwent a medical, with Beto becoming Everton's fifth signing of the summer window and fourth attacking addition, after Arnaut Danjuma, Youssef Chermiti and Jack Harrison.
Beto has enjoyed a rags to riches rise in football and will be let loose on the Premier League after he scored ten goals in 33 Serie A games last season as Udinese finished 12th, scoring 11 in 28 league games during the 2021/22 campaign.
Sean Dyche’s side are desperate for a talisman up front after Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to get no luck with injuries after he suffered a swollen cheekbone against Aston Villa following a nasty collision with Emiliano Martinez.
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And that man looks to be Beto, who told DAZN last summer that he worked a second job alongside playing for Tires until 2018, an amateur club in Lisbon, he said: “I was training with Tires and working in Portugal, it was a nice life. I was working at KFC. It was good.”
The soon-to-be Premier League striker was asked how he feels when he walks past a fast food restaurant now he’s made it in the world of football.
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He replied: “Nothing special, but when I return home, I always go to that KFC to visit my friends.
“I’ve always believed I could have become a footballer. I wanted to become a professional football player.
“My teammates didn’t believe it, maybe just two of them. They were telling me: ‘Beto, it’s hard, it’s impossible.’ Then I joined Portimonense and they changed their mind.”
After leaving Tires, Beto joined Portuguese third division side Olimpico Montijo where he impressed Primera Liga side Portimonense after just one campaign, and the rest is history.
Beto becomes Everton’s second striker signing after the £12million arrival of 19-year-old compatriot Chermiti from Sporting Lisbon.
Dyche’s side are yet to score in three league games so far and an instant impact is needed from the Portuguese pair.