Jordan Pickford: Everton confirm £25m, rising to £30m, deal with Sunderland
Jordan Pickford: Everton confirm £25m, rising to £30m, deal with Sunderland
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.