Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Toffees wrap up Howard deal

14 Feb 2007 - 17:37:42

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Everton have completed the permanent signing of goalkeeper Tim Howard from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.

Howard, 27, has been on loan at Goodison Park since the beginning of the season and has put pen to paper on a five-year contract that will keep him with the Toffees until summer 2012.

The USA international has made 27 appearances for David Moyes' side this term and kept 11 clean sheets in the process.

Premier League rules permit players already on loan at clubs to sign permanent contracts outside the transfer window and Howard was delighted to complete his move to the Merseysiders.

The former MetroStars keeper had lost his first team place at Old Trafford to Edwin Van der Sar and looked unlikely to dislodge either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak as number two to the veteran Dutchman next season.

"The club share my ambition, that is for sure - the manager does and so do the fans," Howard told the club's official website.

"I was drawn for a number of reasons and the players in the dressing room are one of them."

Moyes added: "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."