Victor Anichebe

Anichebe was born in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria{{Hugman|22095|access-date=22 November 2019}} but moved to Liverpool, Merseyside, England, aged one. His family originally lived in Toxteth before settling in Crosby. He is the cousin of former professional football player Iffy Onuora,{{cite web|title=kalu exposes Ethiopia's Iffy Onuora|url=http://allnigeriasports.com/nigeriasportsgeneral/3977-kalu-exposes-ethiopias-iffy-onuora.html|publisher=All Nigeria Sports|access-date=23 February 2011|date=3 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308202524/http://allnigeriasports.com/nigeriasportsgeneral/3977-kalu-exposes-ethiopias-iffy-onuora.html|archive-date=8 March 2012}} Olympian Anyika Onuora and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora. He is also an Olympic silver medallist, competing for Nigeria in the 2008 Olympics.{{Cite web|title=What's happened to Nigeria's 2008 Olympic silver medalists?|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/nigeria/story/3608686/nigerias-2008-olympic-silver-medalists-where-are-they|date=24 August 2018|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=24 May 2020}}

In March 2009, Anichebe received an apology from Cheshire Police when he was confronted for looking in a jeweller's window in Knutsford and his friend Lee Peltier of Liverpool handcuffed. Anichebe was on crutches due to injury at the time, and believed that the police took action because the pair are black.{{cite news |title=Police offer apology to Anichebe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7940486.stm |access-date=26 January 2021 |publisher=BBC News |date=12 March 2009}}{{cite news |title=Police 'sorry' for holding Everton star|url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/03/17/police-sorry-for-holding-everton-star-547412/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |work=Metro |date=17 March 2009}}

File:Anichebe.jpg in 2011]]

Anichebe made his reserve-team debut for Everton as a 15-year-old and his first-team debut less than two years later on 28 January 2006, as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton's FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea, replacing Simon Davies. He signed his first professional contract with Everton, a two-year deal, in April 2006.{{Cite web|title=CAF Sends Birthday Wishes To Ex-Eagles Striker Anichebe At 32|url=https://www.completesports.com/caf-sends-birthday-wishes-to-ex-eagles-striker-anichebe-at-32/|last=Agberebi|first=James|date=23 April 2020|website=Complete Sports|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2020}} On 7 May 2006, he scored his first Premier League goal, against West Bromwich Albion.[http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/index.php?view_type=match_report&page_id=9956 Victor Anichebe's first Everton goal] {{dead link|date=March 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Everton FC He was awarded Everton's Reserve Player of the Season for the 2005–06 season.{{Cite web|url=https://guardian.ng/life/victor-anichebe-goals-passion/|website=guardian.ng|access-date=24 May 2020|title=Victor Anichebe: Goals, Passion|date=30 April 2019|archive-date=22 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122215746/https://guardian.ng/life/victor-anichebe-goals-passion/|url-status=dead}}

Anichebe scored his first two Premier League goals of the 2006–07 campaign in a 3–0 win against Newcastle United on 30 December 2006. His contract was extended by four years towards the end of the season as Everton qualified for the UEFA Cup. In the UEFA Cup, Anichebe scored four times, against Metalist Kharkiv, AEL, 1. FC Nürnberg and Brann of Norway after coming on as a late second-half substitute in many of the matches.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} At the end of the season, he was voted by Everton fans as their Young Player of the Season.[http://www.evertonfc.com/news/28143/young-player-of-the-season.html Young Player of the Season] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210075846/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/28143/young-player-of-the-season.html |date=10 February 2012 }} Everton FC

On 22 February 2009, in a match against Newcastle United, a tackle from Kevin Nolan left Anichebe and unable to play for 11 months.{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Rory|date=4 March 2011|title=Newcastle United make payment to Everton's Victor Anichebe over Kevin Nolan tackle|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/8359982/Newcastle-United-make-payment-to-Evertons-Victor-Anichebe-over-Kevin-Nolan-tackle.html|access-date=24 May 2020|issn=0307-1235}} Nolan, who received a straight red card for the foul, later settled out of court when Anichebe sued for loss of earnings.{{Cite web|title=Everton FC's Victor Anichebe receives six-figure out-of-court settlement from Newcastle United|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fcs-victor-anichebe-receives-3379288|last=Echo|first=Liverpool|date=4 March 2011|website=liverpoolecho|access-date=24 May 2020}} He returned to first team action in January 2010 in a 2–0 victory over Sunderland. His first goal on rejoining the squad came two months later in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City. In January 2011, he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Everton, along with teammate Séamus Coleman.{{Cite web|title=Seamus Coleman and Victor Anichebe sign new Everton FC deals|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/seamus-coleman-victor-anichebe-sign-3385690|last=Echo|first=Liverpool|date=20 January 2011|website=liverpoolecho|access-date=24 May 2020}}

Anichebe suffered a groin injury while on international duty in September and did not play for the rest of 2011.{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2011/09/08/everton-fc-facing-a-potential-striker-crisis-after-learning-that-victor-anichebe-will-be-out-until-christmas-with-a-groin-tear-100252-29384570/ | title=Everton FC facing a potential striker crisis after learning that Victor Anichebe will be out until Christmas with a groin tear |work=Liverpool Echo | date=8 September 2011 | access-date=1 January 2012}} He made his return as a second-half substitute on 1 January 2012, against West Bromwich Albion and scored in the 87th minute to give Everton a 1–0 away win.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16328565.stm | title=West Brom 0 – 1 Everton |work=BBC Sport | access-date=1 January 2012}} He continued his comeback by coming off the bench to score the equaliser in a 1–1 with Aston Villa on 14 January.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/16453098.stm | title=Aston Villa 1 – 1 Everton |work=BBC Sport | access-date = 14 January 2012 | date=14 January 2012}} Anichebe continued his goalscoring form by scoring his third goal of the season as a substitute in a 1–1 with Wigan Athletic on 4 February.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16778754 |title=Wigan 1 – 1 Everton |work=BBC Sport | access-date = 5 February 2012}} His appearance also meant he became Everton's most used substitute in the history of the club, breaking Duncan Ferguson's old record of 82.{{cite web | url=http://evertonresults.com/allsubs.htm | title=Most Substitute Appearances for Everton – All Competitions | publisher=Everton Results | access-date=8 April 2012}}

In his first Premier League start of the 2012–13 season, Anichebe scored the opening goal in a 3–0 win over Swansea City with a left-footed effort from close in.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19615118 | title=Swansea 0–3 Everton | work=BBC Sport | access-date=30 May 2013}} He then missed a number of games due to an hamstring injury, but returned in December to score a header to level the match against West Ham United at 1–1.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-trio-tony-hibbert-darron-gibson-and-victor-anichebe-miss-sunderland-clash-8300994.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220817/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-trio-tony-hibbert-darron-gibson-and-victor-anichebe-miss-sunderland-clash-8300994.html |archive-date=17 August 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Everton trio Tony Hibbert, Darron Gibson and Victor Anichebe miss Sunderland clash | newspaper=The Independent | access-date=30 May 2013 | location=London | date=9 November 2012}} Everton went on to win 2–1.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20738511 | title=West Ham 1–2 Everton | work=BBC Sport | access-date=30 May 2013}} He provided two assists during the festive season before scoring the winner against Newcastle United on 2 January 2013.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20843044 | title=Newcastle 1–2 Everton | work=BBC Sport | access-date=30 May 2013}}

In February, Anichebe scored his first goal in the FA Cup of his Everton career against Oldham Athletic in a match which ended 2–2.{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2013/02/18/3760094/nigerians-abroad-ighalo-scores-against-barcelona-anichebe-scores- | title=Nigerians Abroad: Ighalo scores against Barcelona, Anichebe scores against Oldham and Nwofor helps Venlo to a rare away win | publisher=Goal.com | access-date=30 May 2013}} In the second half of the season, he was used as Everton's main striker due to his impressive displays and the drop in form of Nikica Jelavić.{{cite web | url=http://allsports.com.ng/2013/03/30/moyes-believes-anichebe-is-gradually-repaying-evertons-faith-on-him/ | title=Moyes believes Anichebe is gradually repaying Everton's faith on him | publisher=Allsports.com | access-date=30 May 2013}} In late March, Anichebe said he wanted to finish the season with a goal tally in double figures, but he finished with 8 goals from 32 matches, still the most he has scored in a single season in his career.{{cite news | url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fc-striker-victor-anichebe-2638016 | title=Everton FC striker Victor Anichebe wants double figures | newspaper=Liverpool Daily Post | access-date=30 May 2013}}

On 2 September 2013, Anichebe transferred to West Bromwich Albion in a deal which could rise to £6 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23935605 | title=West Brom sign Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anichebe | work=BBC Sport | access-date=3 September 2013}} On 2 February, Anichebe scored his second league goal against Liverpool to earn West Brom a point. On 11 February, he came on as a substitute and scored against Chelsea to earn West Brom a point.{{cite web | url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2013/09/03/martinez-explains-anichebe-exit | title=Martinez Explains Anichebe Exit | publisher=Everton F.C. | access-date=3 September 2013}}

On 18 May 2016, it was announced Anichebe and Stéphane Sessègnon would leave West Brom at the end of the 2015–16 season.{{Cite news |title=Albion confirm Hawthorns departures |url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/west-brom-albion-contracts-sessegnon-anichebe-morrison-3117887.aspx |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C. |date=18 May 2016}}

On 2 September 2016, Anichebe signed a one-year contract with Sunderland to play under manager David Moyes, the club's ninth signing of the summer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37262370|title=Victor Anichebe: Sunderland sign striker until end of season|work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 September 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2016/september/anichebe-signs|title=Striker Anichebe joins|date=2 September 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=2 September 2016}} His first goal for the club came on 5 November 2016, when he scored in a 2–1 win against AFC Bournemouth, as Sunderland came from behind—with ten men—to secure their first win of the 2016–17 Premier League season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37808235|title=A.F.C. Bournemouth 1-2 Sunderland|work=BBC Sport }} He followed that up in the next match, on 19 November 2016, when he scored two goals in a 3–0 home win against Hull City.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37959901|title=Sunderland 3-0 Hull City|work=BBC Sport }} His performances in November earned him a nomination for the PFA Fans Player of the Month award.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/victor-anichebe-nominated-player-month-12245393

|title=Victor Anichebe nominated for Player of the Month award|website=chroniclelive.co.uk|date=29 November 2016}}

On 23 June 2017, Anichebe joined Chinese club Beijing Enterprises Group after he was released by Sunderland.{{Cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3889/main/2017/06/23/36578582/anichebe-leaves-sunderland-for-beijing-enterprises|title=Transfer News: Victor Anichebe leaves Sunderland for Chinese side Beijing Enterprises - Goal.com|date=23 June 2017|work=Goal.com|access-date=23 June 2017|language=en-MY}}

File:Victor Anichebe.jpg in 2008]]

Anichebe made his debut for Nigeria on 26 March 2008 in an Olympic games qualifying match against South Africa. Anichebe came off the substitutes' bench to score the final goal in a 3–0 victory for Nigeria. He made his first start for Nigeria alongside fellow Everton player Yakubu in a friendly against Austria on 27 May 2008 being replaced at half-time.{{Cite web|title=Victor Anichebe reveals why he was drop from Super Eagles final squad in 2010 World Cup in South Africa » The Score Nigeria|url=http://thescoreng.com/victor-anichebe-reveals-why-he-was-drop-from-super-eagles-final-squad-in-2010-world-cup-in-south-africa/|date=22 May 2020|website=The Score Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2020}}

Anichebe was selected to represent Nigeria at the 2008 Summer Olympics. On 10 August 2008, he scored Nigeria's second goal in their match against Japan. Nigeria eventually reached the final, which they lost 1–0 to Argentina, with Anichebe receiving a silver medal.{{Cite news|last=Marcus|first=Jeffrey|date=23 August 2008|title=Messi and Aguero Lead Argentina to Soccer Gold|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/sports/olympics/24soccer.html|access-date=24 May 2020|issn=0362-4331}}

Anichebe was not selected on the final 23-man roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa despite a good performance{{Cite web|title=Victor Anichebe reveals why he was drop from Super Eagles final squad in 2010 World Cup in South Africa » The Score Nigeria|url=http://thescoreng.com/victor-anichebe-reveals-why-he-was-drop-from-super-eagles-final-squad-in-2010-world-cup-in-south-africa/|date=22 May 2020|website=The Score Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2020}} during a friendly against Saudi Arabia. He scored his first senior team goal in the March 2011 friendly against Kenya. Anichebe suffered a groin injury during a 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Madagascar in September 2011, with Nigeria head coach Samson Siasia blaming the poor pitch. The Super Eagles won the match 2–0 but would miss out on qualification for the tournament one month later, with the injured Anichebe unable to take part in the deciding group match against Guinea.{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Nigeria-fail-to-qualify-for-Africa-Cup-of-Nations/articleshow/10282139.cms | title=Nigeria fail to qualify for Africa Cup of Nations |work=The Times of India | access-date=1 January 2012}}

In October 2012, Anichebe announced he was focusing on his form for club side Everton, rather than on earning a return to the Nigerian team. He was subsequently omitted from the squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament which Nigeria won. In May 2013, Anichebe temporarily retired from international football to concentrate on his club career. However, he said he would return to international football in the future.{{cite web | url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1432110/victor-anichebe-quits-nigeria-focus-everton?cc=5739 | title=Anichebe quits Super Eagles | website=ESPN FC | access-date=30 May 2013}}
{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nigerias-anichebe-retires-international-football-112300662--sow.html | title=Nigeria's Anichebe retires from international football | work=Yahoo Sports | publisher=Yahoo | access-date=30 May 2013}}

:Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Anichebe goal.

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• {{FIFA player}}
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{{Nigeria men's football squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anichebe, Victor}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Crosby, Merseyside

Category:Footballers from Lagos

Category:Footballers from Liverpool

Category:Nigerian men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Nigeria men's international footballers

Category:Everton F.C. players

Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players

Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players

Category:Beijing Sport University F.C. players

Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom

Category:Nigerian emigrants to the United Kingdom

Category:Olympic footballers for Nigeria

Category:Olympic silver medalists for Nigeria

Category:Premier League players

Category:China League One players

Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers

Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in China

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China

Category:English people of Nigerian descent

Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent

Category:Olympic medalists in football

Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen