Everton to sign Cleverley from United

Everton have completed the signing of on loan United midfielder Tom Cleverley on a five year contract.

Cleverley spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he was influential in helping Tim Sherwood's side to Premier League survival and they also reached the FA Cup final.

Tom will join Roberto Martinez's Toffees on 1 July on a free transfer once the transfer window opens.

Paul Scholes retirement before the 2011-12 season left an opening in the United midfield, and Cleverley was quickly identified as a promising, home grown replacement.

A competitive debut soon followed in the 2011 Community Shield comeback win over Manchester City and Cleverley went on to feature a further 79 times for the Reds across three seasons, picking up a title winners medal in 2012/13 (Cleverley 2-0 Gerrard- he also won League One when on loan at Leicester).

England recognition came in 2012 in a 2-1 friendly win against Italy (the first of 13 caps for the senior side), and Tom also represented Great Britain in the Olympic football tournament at London 2012.

With the signings of Ander Herrera, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Radamel Falcao ahead of the 2014/15 season, Cleverley found himself on the fringes of Louis van Gaal's side and after attracting interest from both Aston Villa and Everton, he joined the Villa Park side on loan for the season.  
With fierce competition for places in the United side and more summer additions to come, it has appeared for some time as though Cleverley's best chance of regular first team football would lie away from Old Trafford.


Everton boss Martinez said:

"For us and for Tom, he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here, and, as a player who is still relatively young who has his best years ahead of him, we are pleased to sign 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" added Martinez.

Tom goes with the best wishes of everyone at the club as he embarks on a new chapter of his career at Goodison Park.

Good luck Tom (except when you face us, obviously)