What does Arnaut Danjuma’s celebration mean? Everton star shares the heartwarming reason behind Cobra gesture
Everton fans will be eager for Arnaut Danjuma to show off his cobra celebration as often as possible this season. The Dutch forward has been tasked with scoring the goals to help the Toffees avoid relegation this season.
Danjuma’s cobra celebration is set to become an Everton fan-favourite Danjuma arrived on loan from Villarreal, six months after his initial move was hijacked, and he has brought his signature celebration with him. The 26-year-old regularly makes a snake-like shape with his arms when he finds the back of the net. Dubbed ‘The Cobra’, Danjuma has already had the chance to show it off for Everton fans after scoring in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United before the break.
What does Arnaut Danjuma’s celebration mean? Despite once being used by Everton fans to mock Danjuma after he snubbed them for Tottenham in January, his snake celebration actually has a heartwarming story behind it. And it dates back to before he first arrived in English football with Bournemouth. The Cobra is actually a tribute to one of his best friends from his childhood in Nigeria, where Danjuma was born but he opted to play for the Netherlands. He explained to the Bournemouth Echo in 2021: “Whenever I was a kid, I would always play five-a-side with some friends of mine.
Danjuma is now an Everton player for the rest of the season – and so his ‘cobra’ celebration…
Danjuma’s ‘cobra’ celebration dates back to his childhood “It was a particular friend who used to do that celebration whenever he scored. “It was tough when I was a kid and he did a lot for me when I was young. It’s just to show to him that I will remember him always when I score and it’s just a little dedication to him. He watches every game as well. He is one of my best friends. “He himself, he’s a very skinny guy. When he used to dribble he would always go past defenders like a cobra, so that’s why. We always call him a cobra, so that’s where it comes from.” Danjuma, who scored once in nine Premier League appearances for Tottenham, remains
He said: “They are all still together and very supportive, they are always in the stadium, they’ve always supported my career and are part of me. “We’re all still together and as part of that togetherness and it’s my way of saying thank you to them. The cobra [celebration] is for my friends, they were with me and they are still with me.”