After three years in Everton’s reserves and a loan spell at Fleetwood Town, David Henen decided this summer it was time to move on from Goodison Park and try something new.
Letting his contract with the Toffees expire, the 22-year-old was free to choose where he wanted to go this summer, and he had a lot of choice.
Clubs from Belgium, France, Turkey and Russia were reportedly interested, and the young forward travelled all around Europe, meeting managers and executives to make sure he made the right choice.
Ultimately, Henen decided that being closer to his family was what he wanted, and Charleroi in his home country gave him a chance he couldn’t refuse.
He said: “It was important for me to leave youth level to join a first-team. At Everton, I was elected best player in the academy, but that didn’t bring me anything.
“It means little to the first-team if you win an award. I really, really wanted to be in a group where I could tell myself I’m going to play, I can bring something.”
Henen reveals Roberto Martinez, the manager who brought him from Monaco to Everton in the first place, played an ‘important role’ in his club choice, telling him he could do good things at Charleroi.
That’s why, when Mehdi Bayat came forward with an offer, he just went for it, knowing it was a stable club, with a manager who’s been there for a few years.
