Who is Oumar Niasse, Everton's new signing from Lokomotiv Moscow?

Lokomotiv's Oumar Niasse is Everton's third biggest signing ever

Everton have signed Lokomotiv Moscow's Oumar Niasse, but who is he?

Roberto Martinez has spent £13.5m on the forward, making him the club's third most expensive signing in history behind Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini.

Here's all you need to know about him...

Profile

Name: Oumar Niasse

Age: 25

Place of Birth: Ouakam, Senegal

Former clubs: US Ouakam, Brann (loan), Akhisar Beledyespor, Lokomotiv Moscow

Position: Winger/forward

Background

Niasse (R) has been a prolific goalscorer for Lokomotiv Moscow

Niasse started at hometown club Ouakam in Senegal in 2008 where he played for five years. After impressing there, he was loaned to SK Brann in Norway but only played three games as he had to return due to injury despite scoring twice.

Niasse had a trial at St Etienne and was offered a contract, but he refused the deal because he felt he was not offered a satisfactory wage.

Shortly afterwards, the Senegal international signed with Turkish club Hamza Hamzaoglu in August 2013, and scored 21 goals in 34 appearances.

Before the 2014/15 season, he joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow for €5.5m. In his first season in the Russian Premier League, he got four goals and two assists. During this current 2015/16 season he has 12 goals and 10 assists and was named the Russian Premier League player of the year for 2015.

The 25-year-old has helped the club to third place in the Russian Premier League, five points behind leaders CSKA Moscow, and have also qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League.

On the international stage, Niasse has scored four goals in his four caps for Senegal.

Style of play

Niasse (C) is known for his strength and pace

Niasse is renowned as a strong, pacey forward who is capable of playing on the wing or up front. Standing at 6ft 2in tall, he is known to be a hard worker defensively, which could make him a good fit for Martinez's high pressure system, and is also unafraid to shoot.

For Lokomotiv, Niasse primarily plays as a target striker in a 4-3-3 formation, but at Everton he could play on the wing should Martinez see Lukaku as a stronger candidate for the usual lone striker role.

What they say about him

Lokomotiv Moscow's coach Igor Cherevchenko

Lokomotiv Moscow coach Igor Cherevchenko: "Niasse is a good player, and I am not surprised that he is in demand."

Lokomotiv Moscow teammate Alexsandr Semedov: "Niasse is incredibly good. I didn't expect him to perform at such a high level this season. He dreams of playing in the Premier League."

Sky Sports News HQ reporter Ben Ransom: "He's had a fantastic season in Russia - Russian Premier League player of the year - and has already scored 12 goals this season plus ten assists, so he's a player who can bring a lot of quality to Roberto Martinez's squad."

What he says…

Niasse is strong, Niasse is tall. If nothing's going right, give Niasse the ball and he won't let you down Oumar Niasse

"Jose Mourinho was very keen to sign me, but unfortunately he was fired. I am trying not to get distracted. If there will be a specific offer, I might leave Lokomotiv."

"Niasse is strong, Niasse is tall. If nothing's going right, give Niasse the ball and he won't let you down. What other forwards can do, Niasse can do better. Other forwards in Russia have to work hard to become as good as me"