Jonathan Nsangou of Everton during the friendly against Blackburn Rovers at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 2, 2026
Jonathan Nsangou of Everton during the friendly against Blackburn Rovers at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 2, 2026
With no fewer than 11 of David Moyes’ already paltry Everton squad away on international duty, Friday’s behind closed doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers at Hill Dickinson Stadium was an opportunity for some youngsters to make their mark and 16-year-old Jonathan Nsangou did just that.
Although the Blues, who handed a debut to summer signing , were 2-0 up at half-time through a penalty and strike – with home goalkeeper Mark Travers saving a spot-kick in between – the Championship side turned the contest on its head after the break to go ahead 3-2 with goals from Todd Cantwell, Dapo Afolayan and Augustus Kargbo. However, Everton secured a 3-3 draw late on as Nsangou calmly struck an equaliser after being played in by.
His strike came the day after the 24th anniversary of Wayne Rooney netting his first Everton goal – he got two on the night in a 3-0 League Cup win at Wrexham – to break Tommy Lawton’s record from 1937 in becoming the club’s youngest ever goalscorer. That accolade has now been taken by James Vaughan who came off the bench to seal a 4-0 home romp against Crystal Palace on April 10, 2005, with a finish that ensured until Max Dowman registered to seal a 2-0 Arsenal victory at the Emirates Stadium – against another Moyes Blues team – on March 14 this year, he remained the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer.
At the time of his goal against the Eagles, Vaughan was 16 years and 270 days but when plundering against Rovers, Nsangou, born in Poland on January 16, 2010, was some 10 days younger. But just who is he?
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Although his mother is Polish and his father is retired Cameroon footballer Alirou Nsangou, and he represented Poland at Under-15s level, Jonathan has subsequently won five caps for England Under-16s. According to transfermarkt he also has an elder half-brother called Junior Nsangou, 21, ironically a former Blackburn youth player, who is a centre-forward in the reserves of Slask Wroclaw who were promoted to the Polish top flight at the end of last season.
Jonathan is primarily a right winger and he has scored 10 times for Everton in the U18 Premier League with the club website stating that he produced nine goal contributions in 20 league games last season while also coming on to make his U21 debut as a substitute against Aston Villa.
Nsangou considers his mum and dad his personal heroes, and describes his mentality as being very attack-minded, always looking to score and assist. In a post put out by the Everton Academy account on X (formerly Twitter) on September 25, he declared that his football dream is to win the Ballon d’Or, revealed that Blues team-mate Amari Moses is his best friend in football and his best skill outside of football is sports in general, particularly basketball plus table tennis.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times but this week left the Portugal national team squad, declaring he will explain the reasons why “in time,” was cited as Nsangou’s idol growing up. Given the Everton prospects tender years, Ronaldo had already completed his first stint at Manchester United and was midway through his first season at Real Madrid with Nsangou was born.
Christian Norgaard prepares to go down the tunnel at Hill Dickinson Stadium as he makes his Everton debut against Blackburn Rovers
Christian Norgaard prepares to go down the tunnel at Hill Dickinson Stadium as he makes his Everton debut against Blackburn Rovers (Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images) 1 of 6
Christian Norgaard gets stuck in on his Everton debut against Blackburn Rovers
Christian Norgaard gets stuck in on his Everton debut against Blackburn Rovers (Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images) 2 of 6
Thierno Barry scores for Everton against Blackburn Rovers
Thierno Barry scores for Everton against Blackburn Rovers (Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images) 3 of 6