Crewe Alexandra are delighted to have completed the signing of Fortuna Sittard forward, Bassala Sambou, on an 18-month contract.

The German forward becomes the club’s first signing of the January transfer window.

Hanover-born Sambou, began his youth career with Coventry City before earning a switch to join Everton’s Under-23 set-up under David Unsworth in 2016.

Born to Senegalese parents, Sambou had originally joined Coventry as a 15-year-old after being spotted by a scout playing amateur football. He went on to make his debut for the Sky Blues in an FA Cup tie against Northampton when coming on as a second half substitute, but his first team opportunities were limited at the Ricoh Arena and after scoring 25 goals at Youth level for Coventry, he joined Everton on a three-year contract.

The 24-year-old was a regular goalscorer for the Toffee’s Under-23 side but never made the decisive breakthrough to first team football at Goodison Park. He made 8 appearances for the club in the Football League Trophy, scoring twice against Bradford City and Barnsley.

After rejecting a fresh offer from the Premier League side, he elected to join Dutch side Fortuna Sittard in 2019 in search of first team football.

During the 2020/21 season, he spent a period out on loan with Danish club side, Randers FC, helping the club lift the Danish Cup and qualifying for this season’s UEFA Europa League.

Everyone at Crewe Alexandra welcomes Bassala to the Football Club.