‘Now we know…’ – Fans are all saying the same thing about Arnaut Danjuma celebration after he snubbed Everton to complete Tottenham loan transfer

Arnaut Danjuma has left Everton shocked and angry after deciding not to join their fight for Premier League survival and sign for Tottenham instead.

But some of the Goodison Park faithful have admitted they should have seen it coming, when you consider the Netherlands international’s celebration – a snake.

Spurs announced the arrival of Danjuma on loan from Villarreal for the rest of the season, to aid Antonio Conte’s side in another quest to finish in the Premier League’s top four.

But the deal came as a hammer blow for Everton, who had already welcomed the former Bournemouth attacker into the club after agreement terms over a move to Merseyside.

Danjuma had commented about his seemingly impending Toffees switch, posting on Twitter that he was ‘born ready’ – a tweet that can still be seen on his profile.

He also told reporters in a clip broadcasted on Sky Sports: “I will do absolutely everything I can to keep Everton in this league.”

By Monday he had passed his medical with Everton, did ‘media stuff’ – according to Fabrizio Romano, in what can only be assumed to be photographs with a Toffees shirt and perhaps an interview – and signed a contract with his agent.

But it is claimed he refused to send that signed contract through to the Football Association after Everton decided to sack Frank Lampard and Tottenham came in at the 11th hour.

Come Wednesday afternoon, however, he was posting ‘To Dare Is To Do’ on his social media pages as he posed with a Spurs shirt instead, leaving Everton fuming – again, according to transfer insider Romano.

Everton fans who have been watching his highlight reels on YouTube perhaps should have seen it coming, though, due to his celebration.

Danjuma regularly makes a snake-like shape with his arms when he finds the back of the net – a gesture that has a new meaning to Toffees supporters after his transfer snub.

Dubbed ‘The Cobra’, there is actually a heartwarming story behind the celebration, which is not as sinister as fans are making out and which dates back to before he first arrived in English football with Bournemouth.

It’s actually a tribute to one of his best friends from his childhood in Nigeria, as he explained to the the Bournemouth Echo in 2021.

“Whenever I was a kid, I would always play five-a-side with some friends of mine,” said the winger. “It was a particular friend who used to do that celebration whenever he scored.

“It was tough when I was a kid and he did a lot for me when I was young. It’s just to show to him that I will remember him always when I score and it’s just a little dedication to him. He watches every game as well. He is one of my best friends.

“He himself, he’s a very skinny guy. When he used to dribble he would always go past defenders like a cobra, so that’s why. We always call him a cobra, so that’s where it comes from.”

Danjuma joined Bournemouth from Club Brugge and made 14 appearances in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season, and then stayed with the Cherries after they were relegated to the Championship before earning a move to Spanish football with Villarreal in August 2021.

He departed with a tally of 17 goals and eight assists in 52 games for the south coast club, and then got 22 goals and four assists in 51 games for LaLiga’s Yellow Submarine before his return to the Premier League with Spurs.

He is likely to be available in time for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie away at Preston, live on talkSPORT.

But all eyes will be on Tottenham’s upcoming Premier League trip to Everton on April 1, where Danjuma may decide not to break out his trademark celebration this time around if he scores…

Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog