Howard-Everton deal
Just received the following communique from our friends at Everton:
***Everton has announced that a deal has been completed with Manchester United to make Tim Howard a permanent addition to the club's ranks. Everton has agreed an undisclosed fee with the Old Trafford outfit for the US international goalkeeper.
Howard has committed his long-term future to the Blues with a five-year deal that will run until 2012 and begins at the end of the season. The 27-year-old arrived at Goodison last summer on a season-long loan, establishing himself as David Moyes' first-choice keeper.
He has made 27 appearances for the Toffees, keeping an impressive 11 clean sheets. Howard told evertonTV exclusively: "The Club share my ambition, that is for sure - the manager does and so do the fans. I was drawn to the club for a number of reasons and the players in the dressing room are one of them."
Although the transfer window is currently shut, Premier League rules permit domestic loan deals to be made permanent outside the window. By moving now for the goalkeeper, Everton have ensured one of the Premiership's most consistent performers will remain at Goodison for the peak years of his career.
Everton boss David Moyes told evertonfc.com: "We are delighted to have Tim Howard. He has come in this season and proved he is a good keeper and we are pleased to have secured him."
By Steve Goff |
February 14, 2007; 12:39 PM ET
U.S. men's national team
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Posted by: SSMD | February 14, 2007 1:04 PM
Good news for Tim, and for the U.S. National Team. I'd rather see him play regularly for Everton than twisting in the wind at ManU. As long as he stays healthy and starts plenty of Premier League games, he'll be a great asset for the U.S. in future tournaments and qualifiers.
Posted by: SSMD | February 14, 2007 1:06 PM
Good for Tim. The only potential draw back is the irregularity of Everton in European action. But, locking himself in as the #1 keeper at a top-half of the table EPL side is pretty impressive. This should help his bid to solidify himself as the #1 for the USMNT as well.
Posted by: tmc | February 14, 2007 1:15 PM
not sure if this is the best thing for Tim's chances with the USMNT- I would like to see him in a situation where he can get some international play as well, at least UEFA, and that ain't going to be Everton anytime soon. Still, locking down the starting job is good, he needs the reps, frankly.
Posted by: northzax | February 14, 2007 1:21 PM
Not going to happen anytime soon? Aren't Everton just 3 points out from a UEFA spot? 6th place is in Europe no?
Posted by: Columbia Heights | February 14, 2007 1:49 PM
hey, northzax, Everton has a good shot of playing in Europe next year...in large part due to Howard.
Posted by: jj | February 14, 2007 2:06 PM
Senor Goff,
Guy-Roland Kpene . . . where did we find him? Figured the Red Bulls would have had someone with an eye on him . . .
Does he have a legitimate shot at the squad?
Posted by: Anonymous | February 14, 2007 2:27 PM
not sure if this is the best thing for Tim's chances with the USMNT- I would like to see him in a situation where he can get some international play as well, at least UEFA, and that ain't going to be Everton anytime soon. Still, locking down the starting job is good, he needs the reps, frankly.
Posted by: northzax | February 14, 2007 2:42 PM
Kpene has agreed to a contract, so he's on the squad. Red Bulls apparently weren't interested. As I said in the story, he'll be a reserve squad guy this year.
Posted by: Goff | February 14, 2007 5:32 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Good news for Tim, and for the U.S. National Team. I'd rather see him play regularly for Everton than twisting in the wind at ManU. As long as he stays healthy and starts plenty of Premier League games, he'll be a great asset for the U.S. in future tournaments and qualifiers.