Begovic signs off after two years with Everton
Asmir Begovic won't be staying on at Everton and will leave the club as a free agent this summer.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international was signed by Rafael Benitez on a free transfer in 2021 and played 10 times for the Blues, either as the designated League Cup goalkeeper or in place of Jordan Pickford when the England star was injured.
His initial deal was only for one season and he was offered another 12 months a year ago which he accepted but he and Everton will part ways this summer. He could be joined out the door by third-choice stopper Andy Lonergan but this not yet been confirmed.
Begovic, 36 this year, does not have any plans to hang up his gloves and will likely search for a new team this summer but, in the meantime, he took to Instagram to say his goodbyes:
Thank you for the last two years and letting me be part of your club and embracing me as one of your own.
It has been a pleasure to represent you all and be a part of your whole community.
To all of the staff, players and most importantly, you the fans, thank you all, and all the very best. Up the Toffees.
Yerry Mina, meanwhile, confirmed his departure from Goodison Park with a final farewell on social media. The Colombian's five-year contract expires this summer and he is expected to seek a move to the Continent, perhaps back to La Liga.
Mina, hugely popular with Evertonians, managed to play the full 90 minutes of all four of the Blues' last games this past season after years of struggles with injury as the club secured its Premier League safety on the final day with victory over Bournemouth.
Having given Everton the cushion of an extra point over Leicester and Leeds with his last-gasp goal at Wolves the week before, Mina made a vital intervention in the first half against the Cherries, bailing out his central-defensive partner James Tarkowski by deflecting Dominic Solanke's shot past the post.
Mina wrote on Instagram:
I would like to dedicate these lines to say goodbye to all of you and try to describe how I feel at this moment.
Before the last game, I told you that we had one last mission together... and we did it! and we have achieved it! The union between the team and the fans has been spectacular. As it has always been throughout the history of this great club. Football is a wonderful sport and it always gives us the opportunity to improve and come back stronger.
I want to thank you for every moment shared over the last five years, for every ovation and for making Goodison Park a magical place. I take with me the spectacular atmosphere at every game, the passion and respect you always show. Thank you to the club for their trust, and to all my team-mates and coaches.
It has been an honour to have belonged to Everton and wherever I go I will be cheering for sure.
You are in my heart.💙ðŸ¤
Farewell @everton
Reader Comments (57)
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2 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:14:51
3 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:34:05
4 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:43:19
5 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:53:15
Pity to lose Begovic, a very good backup. Will Tryer step up?
6 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:55:25
Hopefully Welch, Warrington, Dobbin, Cannon and Mills get a chance to stake claims too.
7 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:59:05
8 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:01:35
9 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:03:09
10 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:04:39
11 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:29:36
12 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:32:12
13 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:32:53
14 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:37:19
15 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:51:14
16 Posted 03/06/2023 at 21:53:27
17 Posted 03/06/2023 at 23:25:46
18 Posted 04/06/2023 at 00:41:12
19 Posted 04/06/2023 at 00:53:08
Personally I'd prefer us to be coaching a dynamic youngster who's prepared to wait for his chance as Pickford's successor.
20 Posted 04/06/2023 at 02:00:30
21 Posted 04/06/2023 at 04:01:36
The big ones to attempt to get off the books are Gomes, Alli, Gbamin and Holgate.
22 Posted 04/06/2023 at 04:04:44
23 Posted 04/06/2023 at 06:12:02
24 Posted 04/06/2023 at 06:23:10
25 Posted 04/06/2023 at 06:33:11
26 Posted 04/06/2023 at 07:42:17
Think that's 4 players gone now in total? More to come, I imagine.
27 Posted 04/06/2023 at 07:51:27
Good luck for the future.
28 Posted 04/06/2023 at 09:07:51
Begovic was a keeper that you would have no qualms in promoting when required. Finding someone with his experience may be challenging as it's a big ask for a youngster to step up upon a regular basis. Not as if he currently has the greatest defence in front of him.
29 Posted 04/06/2023 at 09:36:25
I could see Dyche bringing in Tom Heaton. Or maybe Robles back? Or Jack Butland.
30 Posted 04/06/2023 at 09:46:25
31 Posted 04/06/2023 at 10:31:31
This team needs serious trimming but we started with the wrong players. There are so many who really have to go! I wouldn't mind so much if I knew there was serious transfer plan in order but can't see it yet.
32 Posted 04/06/2023 at 11:10:04
Does anyone ever leave with "Fuck off Everton, you twats. Wish I'd never signed"?
Maybe Dele Alli is preparing that one. Or maybe he just can't be arsed.
33 Posted 04/06/2023 at 11:50:18
It appears that we need to make a cut on the salary for back-ups too, so we can't afford someone like Asmir.
Gary @6, at this stage of his career, Harry Tyrer would be better served with a season-long loan with a Football League club (ideally a League One club, but a League Two club is fine too) that can afford him 30+ starts at the very least (40 would be ideal).
I always prefer to have youngsters out on loan, learn the cold harsh "reality" of the world on a weekly basis (playing with and against pros that fight for their next contract). Look at Lewis Warrington and Tom Cannon, they made tremendous progress after playing in the trenches, week-in & week-out.
34 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:05:51
Harry Tyrer just completed a decent loan. Best bet for me is him training with Premier League players every single day and getting the cup games.
I don't see any point in paying an aging back-up keeper ٟ-2M every year just to do just that anyway.
35 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:47:19
Good luck Asmir, and hopefully the next keeper we sign has got a lot of your abilities.
36 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:52:02
Deserves a chance as a first-team regular at a good level if he wants it, so best of luck to him.
37 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:54:55
yes, probably the ideal job for those with a purely commercial outlook on the game, at the right money.
38 Posted 04/06/2023 at 13:25:56
Andy Lonergan and the like have a fanastic job. Paid to train and then watch the games.
39 Posted 04/06/2023 at 13:35:04
Wouldn't take anything less than a world goalie record, and why the fuck would he go to Spurs anyway? If Kane moves, they're mid-table at best.
40 Posted 04/06/2023 at 13:39:29
Agree with most – although he didn't get many opportunities, he always acquitted himself with an able display. Best of luck for the rest of his career, and thanks!
41 Posted 04/06/2023 at 15:05:14
42 Posted 04/06/2023 at 17:20:06
Bego's 36 and still has a season or two left in him, and I'd bet he just wants to play every week somewhere rather than letting his career wind down sitting on a bench. I read multiple reports back at the start of the year that Rangers were interested.
43 Posted 04/06/2023 at 17:24:34
44 Posted 04/06/2023 at 17:47:48
Weghorst, God no.
45 Posted 04/06/2023 at 18:22:15
46 Posted 04/06/2023 at 18:43:59
47 Posted 04/06/2023 at 19:35:54
48 Posted 04/06/2023 at 19:47:18
Depends on the funds though, Dyche might be forced to sell Pickford.
49 Posted 04/06/2023 at 22:12:37
I believe his presence is the reason why Pickford raised his game over the last 2 seasons. Back-up keeper is a way more important role than most people think.
50 Posted 04/06/2023 at 23:37:53
51 Posted 05/06/2023 at 11:16:00
Everton – Wout Weghorst
I despair!
52 Posted 05/06/2023 at 11:45:03
Exactly what were you expecting? Avoiding relegation was only one element of the equation for Everton in order to stave off financial ruination. Profit and Sustainability issues still beset the club, we may well have to sell before we buy, even if the rumoured takeover happens.
We will have an extremely lean squad at the start of the coming season, it will be lower in overall quality than at the start of last season, we will still be struggling to get results and once again avoiding the drop will be our only priority. If we fans don't realise that scenario from day one of the new season, then we are setting ourselves up for great disappointment.
53 Posted 05/06/2023 at 12:12:10
Yes totally agree with you mate, just feels depressing when you read our Neighbours have signed a good player, and seeing on Twitter they are rebuilding their midfield
Whilst our club say nothing and do nothing. Just some communication would be nice…
54 Posted 05/06/2023 at 14:32:15
55 Posted 05/06/2023 at 19:18:23
Why wasn't he offered a new contact on less wages?
56 Posted 05/06/2023 at 19:40:11
57 Posted 07/06/2023 at 17:15:46
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1 Posted 03/06/2023 at 20:08:53