Everton target Oumar Niasse had his air ticket to Europe paid for by former Reading and Senegal player Ibrahima Sonko.

Sonko spotted the 25-year-old back in Senegal and paid all his expenses to sign for his club at the time, Turkish Super Lig side Akhisarspor. He then went on to move to Russia.

"I saw Oumar play for the Under-23 Senegal team. He was so fast, up and down the pitch even though he was playing up front," Sonko told BBC World Service.

"I went back to Turkey and had a word with my manager. He said to me "it's your call, we don't know the boy". I said listen I'm so sure, I'll pay for everything and if he signs the only thing I ask for you is you pay me back for his ticket."

"England was his dream, he works his socks off on the pitch. He's not an individual player, he's always thinking about the team," said Sonko of Niasse.