Date of birth: 23.04.1988
Place of birth: Lagos
Height: 1,90
Nationality: Nigeria
Position: Striker - Centre Forward
Foot: right
Nickname: Big Vic or just Victor!
Chant: Der, der, der Victor Anichebe...
Anichebe is a strong powerful forward recently plagued by injuries. He has made somewhat of a reputation for himself of being a super-sub, however this isn't something he is particularly fond of!
Did You Know? He is a cousin of former professional football player Iffy Onuora, Olympian Anyika Onuora and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora.
Anichebe made his reserve team debut as a 15 year-old and his first team debut less than two years later on 27 February 2006, as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton's FA Cup 4th round tie against Chelsea, replacing Simon Davies. Victor signed his first professional contract with Everton in April 2006, putting pen to paper on a deal to keep him at Goodison Park until 2008.
His second Everton appearance came on 22 April 2006 when he was brought on with five minutes to go against Birmingham City. In May 2006, Anichebe picked up the 'Reserve Player of the season Award' for the 2005–06 season.
On 7 May 2006, he scored his first Premier League goal against West Bromwich Albion. The 18-year-old turned his man and shot through the legs of Albion keeper, Tomasz Kuszczak.
Anichebe quickly became a fan favourite at Everton as he topped the 2006–07 pre-season scoring chart with four goals in six appearances including a brace at Bury.
Anichebe scored his first two Premier League goals of the 2006–07 campaign in a 3–0 win against Newcastle United on 30 December 2006. On 2 May 2007, it was announced that Anichebe had extended his current contract with Everton until the summer of 2011.
In the 2007–08 season, the teenage striker struck four times in the UEFA Cup, against Metalist Kharkiv, Greek side Larissa, German's FC Nuremberg and SK Brann of Norway after coming on as a late second half substitute in many of the games.
He was dubbed Everton's European "Secret Weapon" by the fans and media because of his success in the competition. His success in the UEFA Cup is believed to be because of European defenders inabilities to deal with his fast-pace and strength, eulogised by American commentators as having "blistering pace".
On 7 May 2008, Anichebe was voted by Everton fans to be the young player of the season for 2007/08. Although a striker, manager David Moyes has occasionally called upon Anichebe to play in the right midfield position.
On 22 February 2009, Anichebe was the victim of a horror tackle by Kevin Nolan during Everton's Premier League match with Newcastle United. This kept him out of action for almost a year but he made his return to the pitch on 27 January 2010 in Everton's 2–0 victory over Sunderland.
He scored his first goal after the injury in Everton's 2–2 draw with Birmingham on 13 March 2010. On 20 March 2010, Anichebe left the field with a hip injury during the match against Bolton after a challenge from Paul Robinson.On 20 January 2011, he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Everton along with fellow teammate Seamus Coleman.
Anichebe suffered a groin injury while on international duty in September and did not play for the rest of 2011. He made his return as a second half substitute on 1 January 2012, against West Bromwich Albion and scored in the 87th minute to give Everton a 1–0 away win.
He continued his comeback by coming off the bench to score the equaliser in a 1–1 with Aston Villa on 14 January. Anichebe continued his goalscoring form by scoring his 3rd goal of the season as a substitute in a 1–1 with Wigan Athletic on 4 February.
He missed the end of the 2011/12 season after he picked up an injury in a match away to Stoke City.
In 2013 Anichebe was starting to get more opportunities mainly due to Nikica Jelavic's poor form. Victor started to believe much more in his own ability and the more he played the more he seemed to kick on.
Former manager David Moyes said that Anichebe has all the attributes to be a top player and it was now up to Anichebe to fulfil his potential.
However after falling down the pecking under new boss Roberto Martinez Anichebe joined West Brom during the September 2013 transfer window for a fee that could eventually be worth as much as £6m.
