Everton have completed the signing of Maarten Stekelenburg from Fulham on a three-year deal. The former Netherlands international has reunited with Everton boss Ronald Koeman after the pair spent time together at Southampton last season.

The price of the deal is rumoured to be slightly less than £1Million pounds.  

Stekelenburg will bring depth to the Blues as they search for a new first choice goalkeeper. The former Southampton and Roma goalkeeper joins Joel Robles as another senior Everton goalkeeper.

The pair are expected to battle it out to become the backup to another goalkeeper that Ronald Koeman brings to Goodison Park later this summer. 

The signing of Stekelenburg had been rumoured for a number of days after it was revealed Fulham were looking to unload his £25,000 pound a week in wages. 

Koeman wants three senior goalkeepers

During one of his first meetings with the assembled Everton media at Finch Farm, Ronald Koeman revealed he was planning to have three senior goalkeepers in the Everton squad. Joel Robles was the only senior goalkeeper at that time and he has been joined by Stekelenburg.

With Tim Howard departing for the MLS, The Blues have been left without a recognisable number one. While Joel Robles deputised towards the end of the Premier League season, Everton are still searching for a top level goalkeeper. 

Koeman has been linked with Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster and Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul as he searches for his new number one. 

Could Tim Krul be on his way to Goodison Park? Photo: Sky Sports
Could Tim Krul be on his way to Goodison Park? Photo: Sky Sports   

Other transfer rumours and reports

With a transfer war chest never before seen at Goodison Park on offer to Koeman, the Blues are setting their sights high for transfers this summer. That means plenty of rumours and reports about players in the news.

Koeman is looking to strength the Everton midfield and the Blues have been linked with FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and Belgian international, Axel Witsel. According to Squawka, Everton have agreed a £30 million pound fee for Witsel.

The Blues are also interested in Roma midfielder, Kevin Strootman. Strootman has battled a number of knee injuries in recent years but reports suggest Koeman could spend up to £25 Million pounds for the midfielder. 

Everton are also betting favourites to sign Juan Mata from Manchester United. The Spaniard’s future seems in doubt at Old Trafford with the arrival of manager Jose Mourinho and the apparent arrival of Borussia Dortmund star, Henrikh Mkhitaryan

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About the author
Connor Bennett
Everton editor for VAVEL UK - contributing since 2015. Premier League accredited journalist. Journalism graduate from Liverpool. Writing about Football, eSports and the NFL. Email: [email protected] | Twitter: ConnorBennett14