According to Fabrizio Romano, Asmir Begovic has completed his move from Bournemouth to Everton, becoming the first signing of the Rafa Benitez era and signing a deal until 2023. The deal, for free, makes perfect sense for the Toffees, who have been searching for a backup to number one Jordan Pickford since Robin Olsen’s departure.
They will be delighted to secure the former Stoke City keeper for the forthcoming season. He ticks boxes for experience and ability whilst happy to take the backup role. Perhaps even Pickford will benefit from the move and will learn from veteran Begovic.
Benitez can now rest Pickford knowing he has a solid second option to take the reigns when needed.
Asmir Begovic Completes Everton Transfer
Back in the Premier League
As previously touched on, Begovic has a wealth of Premier League experience under his belt. He played for Stoke City for five years before joining Chelsea in 2015. It was there he won the Premier League in 2017, deputising for Thibaut Courtois.
His latest club before the Everton move came in the form of Bournemouth, where he suffered relegation before play-off failure last season. It has to be said, however, that the failure was no fault of Begovic’s, who showed his experience throughout.
Now at Everton at 34-years-old, the main aim will be to help both on and off the pitch. On the pitch, when handed an opportunity, he’ll have the simple task of just taking it; he must use every minute he gets to stake a claim for even more game time.
Meanwhile, off the pitch, he has the chance to become a leader in the Everton dressing room. And that’s what the Toffees need. With that leadership, they may well find themselves in amongst the European places under new manager Rafa Benitez.
On a free, Asmir Begovic ticks every box Everton were looking for in a backup keeper.
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