Goalkeepers Lonergan and Graham sign deals

Michael Kenrick 11/07/2022 17comments  |  Jump to last

Thus far unused stand-in senior goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan, 38, has signed a new 1-year contract with Everton.

Lonergan was brought in by former manager Rafael Benitez last summer as cover for Jordan Pickford and Asmir Begovic and was named on the bench for 15 games last season.

With Joao Virginia untrusted to keep goal at senior level and sent out on loan, as well as Academy keeper Harry Tyrer, Lonergan and Begovic represent the senior level and highly experienced insurance cover in the event that Pickford is unavailable for any reason.

Meanwhile, Under-18s prospect Dylan Graham has put pen to paper on his first professional deal, also a 1-year contract that runs to June 2023.

Born in Belfast, Dylan joined Everton last summer. He was previously with Ballymena United.

Dylan initially made rare appearances on the bench as unused goalkeeper for the Under-18s last season, but got more involved last Spring, making his debut with a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers in April.

Speaking about his new deal, he said: “It's been a big goal for me since I was very young - to play professional football. It's a big moment for me and my family.

“Obviously, leaving home at 16, coming to a different country throws up challenges, but I was coming to do something that I love and everyone at the Club made it very easy for me.

“The boys and the coaches were super friendly and welcoming — and that helped me settled here quickly. It's always going to take a little bit of time to get used to things but from the minute I walked through the door, I have loved everything about Everton.

“It was a very easy decision to sign the contract. To continue here at such a big club, it makes me - and my family - extremely proud.

“I just want to get my head down and keep working hard now. I want to help the Under-18s go far in the FA Youth Cup and the league.”

 

Reader Comments (17)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()


Pat Kelly
1 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Great. He'll be needed to fill out the bench.
Peter Carpenter
2 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Such a relief. I've been worrying about this one for weeks.
Kim Vivian
3 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Is this really the best news we can be offered with barely 4 weeks to the start of the season?... Albeit a little over 7 weeks before the window closes.

I'm sure he's at least a half-decent goalkeeper by some standard but jeez, how easy can it be to earn quarter of a million a year for nothing?

Come on, Everton – give us something to get excited about.

Annika Herbert
4 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Why? First Begovic and now this fella. You can't call either of them 'has-been' because they have always been never-beens.
Kevin Prytherch
5 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Expect announcements of Branthwaite and Onyango going on loan soon, they've both been left behind for the USA tour.
Kunal Desai
6 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Marvellous. Kenwright will be telling us all this was the space to watch, sitting next to Dave whilst he puts pen to paper.
Peter Carpenter
7 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Pickford has a clause in his contract which only allows reserve goalkeepers to be about 20 years older than him.
Paul Hewitt
8 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Branthwaite could be off to PSV.
Eddie Dunn
9 Posted 11/07/2022 at
This means Pickford is going to Chelsea.
Tony Abrahams
10 Posted 11/07/2022 at
I genuinely can't think of many better jobs than being a reserve goalkeeper. Actually getting very well paid to train, and all without the pressure of having to perform on a Saturday. I wouldn't be surprised if I sometimes work harder in the gym!
Mike Gaynes
11 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Everybody needs a hobby. We collect vintage goalkeepers.
Danny O’Neill
12 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Shame about Branthwaite as I'd liked to have seen him more involved, but PSV will be a good experience for him.

What about Warrington, Kevin?

Jay Harris
16 Posted 11/07/2022 at
This is brilliant news.

We have spent valuable time on sorting out a contract for another benchwarmer cos it's easier to address than finding players who will fill the gaps in the playing squad.

I feel sorry for Jarrad Branthwaite and Tyler Onyango who both IMO could have been first-team squad players with a bit of work on them.

Kieran Kinsella
17 Posted 11/07/2022 at
The squad is looking like that summer we signed Bilic and then well no one of merit.
Cathal Naughton
18 Posted 11/07/2022 at
They say watch the pennies and pounds look after themselves. I am not privy to the inner workings of Finch Farm but this seems like a pointless exercise when we have young keepers on the books that could do the job.

I seem to remember he rejected Everton back in Moyes's days and Joined the boys from across the park no less.

Andrew Ellams
19 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Eddie at 9, no it means Tyrer and Virginia have gone out on loan.
Joe McMahon
20 Posted 11/07/2022 at
Peter @7, you could be right! This is ludicrous, I'm 52 and barely 5'-6" (Adrian Heath Mk II), I think I'm with a shout. Must be so disheartening for Virginia.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


How to get rid of these ads and support TW

© ToffeeWeb