England under-21 left back Luke Garbutt has joined Championship side Fulham on a season long loan from his parent club Everton, despite rumoured interest from Premier League new-boys AFC Bournemouth.
Garbutt, who signed a new five year deal last month to stay at Goodison Park until 2020, has joined Kit Symons' squad in order to gain vital experience after breaking into the Everton first team last season whilst regular left back Leighton Baines was injured.
Martinez and Garbutt give their thoughts on the transfer
Despite making ten appearances last season, Toffees manager Roberto Martinez was reportedly keen for the 22-year-old to go and play regular football this season to help him ‘further his development’ and ‘fulfil his potential’.
Martinez told the club's official website “This was always the plan for Luke after he impressed last season and regular, competitive football is the next step in his development." He added, “In his position, he is one of the most talented young players in England. He will shine and be a massive asset in the Fulham team and in their dressing room.”
Garbutt himself was delighted to have joined the Cottagers, explaining that they had shown ‘their faith and trust’ in him, and that he was ‘looking forward to working with the boys’, as Fulham gear up for another crack at being promoted back to the Premier League.
Fulham keen to turn things around
The Cottagers were among the favourites to make an instant return to the Premier League last season after relegation in 2014, but a distastrous start under Felix Magath, who fell out with big earners like Hugo Rodallega and Maarten Stekelenburg, who has joined Southampton on loan for this season, saw the former Wolfsburg boss replaced with former academy coach Symons.
Although Symons didn’t get them promoted, with the club meandering towards a disappointing 17th place last time around, Symons will be hoping to construct a squad much better equipped for a promotion bid this time around.