Jordan Pickford: Everton confirm £25m, rising to £30m, deal with Sunderland
Last updated on .From the section Football
Jordan Pickford has become the most expensive British keeper in history after Everton paid £25m - rising to what would be a club record £30m - to sign him from Sunderland.
The 23-year-old, who is on duty with England Under-21s, has signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park.
"It is a great club, a massive club and it is a great opportunity," he said.
Pickford made 29 Premier League appearances last season but could not prevent Sunderland being relegated.
A product of the Black Cats' academy - he joined the club aged eight - he has had spells on loan at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston.
Pickford made his first-team debut for Sunderland in a 3-1 FA Cup defeat by Arsenal in January 2016.
He added: "Last season was my first in the Premier League so to get this opportunity with Everton now, to be able to go forward with my career and show everyone what I can do with Everton is unbelievable.
"This is an exciting time for the club and for me, too, with the ambition being shown. I just want to be the best I can be to help."
Manager Ronald Koeman added: "Jordan is a very talented young professional who also has a real hunger for success, and that's important for us as we now look to make further progress in the seasons ahead."
The deal is an initial £25m transfer fee with £5m of potential add-ons, making him the third most expensive keeper ever.
Gianluigi Buffon's move from Parma to Juventus in 2001 was reported to be worth 53m euros, or £32.6m at the time, while at current exchange rates, Ederson's 40m euros transfer to Manchester City last week is equivalent to £35m, which is a world record in sterling, but not euros.
Pickford's fee smashes the previous record for a British goalkeeper, when Koeman - then Southampton boss - paid £10m to sign Fraser Forster from Celtic in 2014.
Despite being 23, Pickford is eligible to play for the Under-21s as rules allow a select number of over-aged players in the squad.
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How I wish Sky offered a sports subscription that excluded football, in order to opt out of bankrolling this financial nonsense.
"when has there been a world class English keeper? Never"
You are joking right.
1 - Peter Shilton
2 - Gordon Banks
3 - Ray Clemence
4 - David Seaman
There are 4 for starters
Exciting times ahead for us Bluses, God knows we have earnt it.
COYB
Over to you trolls.
Thrown in at the deep end, behind the worst defence in the league, he still looked a class act last season. The kids got talent.
Sign of intent from Everton as well. Usually we mess about till the last week of the transfer window.
Building a good team Ronald.
We have needed a top goalkeeper for years, these fellas turn losses to draws and draws to wins...keep'em comin' blue boys get rid of 'le sulk' and get some more hungry lads in