Etienne Eto'o joins Villarreal B on loan after Mirandés stint cut short
The son of legendary Samuel Eto'o moves to Primera RFEF after limited opportunities at Mirandés, having previously made his La Liga debut against Villarreal.
Villarreal B have swooped for Etienne Eto’o on loan from Rayo Vallecano until the end of the season, just hours after the forward terminated his loan spell with struggling Mirandés.
Limited chances at Mirandés
The 23-year-old son of African legend Samuel Eto’o has had a proper mare at Mirandés this season, making just six league appearances - all from the bench. Talk about being left on the sidelines! The lad clearly needed a change of scenery, and Villarreal’s B team have offered him a lifeline in Primera RFEF.
Albelda’s new attacking option
Etienne will now look to showcase his talents under the guidance of David Albelda in Spain’s third tier. Villarreal B haven’t been shy about their excitement either, describing the acquisition as a “spectacular reinforcement” in their official announcement. The Yellow Submarine’s reserve side are hoping Eto’o Junior can fire them towards the top spots in Group 2 of Primera RFEF.
Full circle moment
In a bit of football poetry, Eto’o will now don the yellow shirt of the very club against whom he made his La Liga debut last season. The forward got his first taste of top-flight Spanish football when Íñigo Pérez brought him on for Rayo in the 87th minute against Villarreal - a match the Yellows won 1-0.
His La Liga experience may be limited, but Eto’o did get another run-out against Real Sociedad, playing 35 minutes at Vallecas. He also appeared in the Copa del Rey for Rayo, even bagging himself a goal in the competition.
The youngster will be hoping this move gives him the regular football he’s been crying out for. After all, with those genes, you’d expect the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to finding the old onion bag.