Eto'o targets Europa League glory with Everton

Everton striker Samuel Eto’o said that he wants to add the Europa League to his already impressive collection of silverware.

A three-time winner of the UEFA Champions League, the 33-year old has also enjoyed numerous domestic trophies with FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, two Africa Cups of Nations with the Indomitable Lions as well as an array of individual awards. But he never got his hands on the European second-tier crown.

Hungrier than ever since landing at Goodison Park this summer, the former Chelsea striker has scored four goals for the Toffees through all competitions this season and vows to help Everton put an end to a 20-year trophy drought.

“My goal is clear. I came here to help this club win things and the Europa League is a big one. I have never won it,” Eto’o told The Liverpool Echo. “The fans here are incredible – 7,000 at least went to Lille. They followed us to Russia. The only thing I want to say to them is that I will always give them the best of myself. I will do everything to get results and give them pride.

“I can’t go back to being 20-years-old. What I am sure about is that I will always give 100 per cent on the pitch and also help my teammates to score and do great things on the pitch so that the fans will be satisfied, not only with me but the whole team.

“Even when I’m old and retired I will always want to win. I’ll still want to play football.

“Being in a stadium playing the game at the top level – it makes me happy. But even when it’s all over and I play with my friends back home I will still want to win. Always. Why would I not enjoy playing football? I adore it. It’s my passion – something which brings me so much pleasure.”

Leaders of their Group H of the Europa League on 5 points, Samuel Eto’o and his teammates will be hosting Lille at Goodison Park on Thursday, in matchday 4 of the competition’s group stage.