Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has agreed to join Everton on a five-year deal.
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Cleverley Signs With Everton
Friday, June 5
Everton announced Cleverley's capture via their official website, and boss Roberto Martinez was clearly delighted to sign a player he previously worked with at Wigan:
We are extremely delighted to be welcoming Tom to Everton and I can think of many reasons as to why our fans will enjoy Tom representing our football club.
The most important one is that he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here as he has so much experience of playing in the Premier League and he still has his best years just ahead of him.
At the age of 25 and a player who is representing his country, Tom has experienced winning trophies and having big roles in demanding teams. Having worked with him previously, I know the type of character he is and I know that, with the Everton fans’ support, we will get a very special footballer joining our already exciting team.
It says a lot also, when someone like Tom is available on a free transfer and he can pick his next club out of many options home and abroad, that he has chosen to play for our football club. That’s the perfect start to his career here at Everton.
Cleverley's contract with the Red Devils expired this summer and with no fresh deal offered, the 25-year-old had multiple options for his next club, including Aston Villa—with whom he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season.
Cleverley spoke about his future in a recent interview with the Telegraph's Henry Winter. When asked whether it would be difficult to leave Villa Park, where he enjoyed a turnaround in form and confidence, he said: "One hundred per cent. I’m enjoying myself here, fantastic group of lads, and a great manager."
According to Squawka, Cleverley won 58 tackles last season, as well as maintaining an impressive passing accuracy of 86 per cent and creating 26 chances, scoring three goals.
The midfielder's creativity and comfort in possession will appeal to Martinez, whose teams are characterised by their control of the ball and use of frequent short passes.
Further, his 26 chances created is bettered only by Ross Barkley in Everton's midfield, per Squawka.
After a difficult time at Old Trafford and with the England team, Cleverley's career looked to have taken a sharp downturn. However, his quiet return to form at Villa makes him a solid, reliable addition for Everton.
