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Steven Naismith signs for Everton

Michael Kenrick , 4 July, 57comments  |  Jump to most recent
Former Rangers free agent signs 4-year deal
Everton have completed the free transfer of former Rangers striker Steven Naismith. The Scotland international, a free agent after he terminated his contract with Rangers and rejected the chance to move over to the Newco club, has signed a four-year deal.

Naismith, 25, will now join up with his new team-mates for the start of pre-season training this week.

"It is a great honour to be joining a club of Everton's wonderful history and to have the chance to play with such a talented group of players in the world's best league in front of such a passionate group of fans," Naismith told evertonfc.com.

"I look forward greatly to working with the manager David Moyes and all the staff at Everton and working hard to deliver on the pitch to repay their, and the chairman Mr (Bill) Kenwright's, faith and belief in me."

Moyes was keen to add greater strength to the forward line and believes Naismith will fit in well at Goodison Park.

"We are delighted that Steven has agreed to join us," said the Scot.

"He will be an excellent addition to the players we already have and we look forward to him being fit and ready to play at the start of the season.

"He is an established international who can play in a number of positions.

"He has a flexibility we always like in our players and which will hopefully prove to be very useful for us."

Naismith, who has yet to be assigned a squad number, will be reunited with his former strike partner Nikica Jelavic. The duo formed a productive pairing at Ibrox Park before Naismith suffered a second cruciate ligament injury and Jelavic moved south to Goodison in January.

Quotes or other material sourced from Evertonfc.com

Reader Comments (57)

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Peter Barry
1 Posted 04/07/2012 at 05:00:24
All the Media is now reporting that Naismith HAS signed for Everton thus perpetuating Davey Moyes habit of picking up waifs and strays who no one else wants. Especially if they are SCOTTISH or have a Scottish connection.
Peter Barry
2 Posted 04/07/2012 at 05:25:35
"The Everton boss wrapped up a deal for ex-Rangers midfielder Steven Naismith on Tuesday."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2168378/Everton-eye-Hugo-Rodallega.html#ixzz1zd0zzBFD

Gavin Ramejkis
3 Posted 04/07/2012 at 09:12:04
Official site has it confirmed, signed to a four year deal – nice doing business so early
David Moore
4 Posted 04/07/2012 at 09:11:58
WELL, IT'S NOW OFFICIAL We have Signed Steven Naismith for 4 years,
From the OS:
Everton have completed the signing of Scotland international Steven Naismith who has put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

The former Rangers forward has joined on a free transfer and has completed all the formalities.

Naismith, who has won 15 caps for his country, will now join up with the rest of the Blues squad for pre-season training at Finch Farm this week.

Everton Manager David Moyes said: "We are delighted that Steven has agreed to join us. He will be an excellent addition to the players we already have and we look forward to him being fit and ready to play at the start of the season.

"He is an established international who can play in a number of positions. He has a flexibility we always like in our players and which will hopefully prove to be very useful for us."

Steven added: "‘It is a great honour to be joining a club of Everton’s wonderful history and to have the chance to play with such a talented group of players in the world’s best league: the Barclays Premier League, in front of such a passionate group of fans.

"I look forward greatly to working with the Manager David Moyes and all the staff at Everton and working hard to deliver on the pitch to repay their, and the Chairman Mr Kenwright’s, faith and belief in me.

Shane Corcoran
5 Posted 04/07/2012 at 09:17:56
Just in ahead of me Gavin. Good to see a bit of light so early. They must have been happy with the medical for a four-year deal, given that it wasn't done at the last hour of the window.
Sam Hoare
6 Posted 04/07/2012 at 09:25:44
Done deal! Great news in my mind. Handy and comitted player with little financial risk.

Good to get a player in early and I reckon when fit that he could well become a crowd favourite!

Lee Smith
7 Posted 04/07/2012 at 09:27:32
Nice to get a player in before August 31st for a change. Hopefully he can make the step up from SPL to EPL as well as Jelavic did! I just hope Moyes sticks him upfront with Jelavic to try and get a decent strike partnership going like they had at Rangers, rather than try to 'utilise' him all over the park...
Jim Knightley
8 Posted 04/07/2012 at 10:22:56
Chris, I doubt he is matching the Yak's or anywhere near it. Scottish players are on significantly less wages, and Jelavic was apparently on 15,000-20,000 according to media sources before his Everton move (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4078053/Liverpool-transfer-news-Rangers-striker-Nikica-Jelavic-wanted.html).

I reckon Naismith is on £30k pw max, and probably less. I reckon if he did have a bad year, we could still sell him for £1.5mil-ish back to Scotland or the Championship based on his reputation.
James Morgan
9 Posted 04/07/2012 at 10:18:17
This lad under normal circumstances would probably cost £3 or 4 million I reckon so to get him for free is great news. Jelly rates him so that'll do for me. Wouldn't it be great to have a successful long term pairing up front that clicks together?

Looks like it could be the end for our Timmy though.
Dan McKie
10 Posted 04/07/2012 at 10:37:20
Good signing. I don't think it means the end for Cahill, but it will probably mean the end to him being the first name on the teamsheet, which is a good thing, and he will still do a job for Everton and more likely a better one with more rest.
Geoff Trenner
11 Posted 04/07/2012 at 10:32:07
I've not seen him play myself but a Scottish mate rates him highly – he tells me that Naismith makes a lot of runs off the ball & into defenders' blind spots, à la Beardsley. He reckons his movements draws defenders leaving more space for the likes of Jelavic.

Based on this I reckon it's a good move & as said earlier, if it doesn't work out he'll be worth £1.5 to 2 million to the likes of Leicester in the Championship
Terry Smith
12 Posted 04/07/2012 at 10:28:59
The deal must be a Win-Win situation similar to Beckford. It's not costing us anything and hopefully he can improve the team and score goals. If it doesn't work out I'm sure we will get money for him.
Jason Lam
13 Posted 04/07/2012 at 10:48:34
Just saw the YouTube vid, all that sliding around on the knee no wonder it's fucked up.

Welcome to Everton, Naismith.

Ciaràn McGlone
14 Posted 04/07/2012 at 11:22:58
"He is an established international who can play in a number of positions. He has a flexibility we always like in our players."

This is the telling quote from Moyes... left or right midfield for him then.

What ever happened to buying players for their natural positions?

Richard Parker
15 Posted 04/07/2012 at 11:23:45
Not a goalscorer, that's for sure, with 1 in 4 or so for a top side in the SPL. Double figures for us in the EPL would be an achievement.

Sitting opposite a Rangers fan right now, says Naismith "was the guy that made Rangers tick" and he used the word "creative" as well!

Could be just what we need to replace Timmy, quite honestly I'd be happy to see him go now Naismith is in. Really like what Cahill has done and meant for EFC, but would be good to get his wages off the books and use Barkley or Ossie as a sub for Naismith. Desperate for 2 wingers now... if we can get them in without losing anyone, we're not in bad shape.

A backup for Jela would be nice too.

Trevor Lynes
16 Posted 04/07/2012 at 11:28:37
My point about keeping the British players, especially the defenders is that most of the long-serving players at almost every Premier League club are British. I dont include Arsenal as, since the Adams era, Wenger has hardly signed a British player.

The Rooney situation was different; he was playing in a very poor EFC squad including a lot of much older players eg; Stubbs, Weir etc etc and he moved to WIN things and not just for money.

I'm happy that at least we have moved quickly this season to add at least one to our squad in Naismith. DM said that he wanted early action in this season's transfer market and at least Naismith will have time to bed into the squad before the season starts. I just hope he does not kick off with an injury as Jelavic did.
Paul Mackie
17 Posted 04/07/2012 at 11:38:17
Good bit of business. Has played with Jelavic before, can play in the Cahill role and can flip him for a profit if it doesn't work out.

I'm really hopeful of getting off to a flyer this seaon now, even with having Man Utd first.

Sam Hoare
18 Posted 04/07/2012 at 12:01:08
Based on what I'm hearing, I'm hoping that this lad will provide the same work ethic and attitude as Cahill whilst providing slightly better movement and creative prospects in the final third.

The fact that him and Jelavic have played before helps as well, plus if Jelavic gets injured he has some experience of playing as an out-and-out striker.

Happy days.

David Chait
19 Posted 04/07/2012 at 13:00:05
To Sam's point its actually the partnership with Jela that is exciting as opposed to this deal in isolation... he might not be the biggest goalscorer but he might add 10 on for Jela.
Brian Waring
20 Posted 04/07/2012 at 13:09:42
Welcome to the club Mr Kneesmith!
Paul Woolf
21 Posted 04/07/2012 at 14:21:16
Naismith confirmed, 4th July midday, Rodellega most probably just a rumour, Pienaar most probably will stay at Spurs — do we need adverse headlines with Pienaar's private life? I don't think so...

Sell anichebe, he will never make it.
Mike Powell
22 Posted 04/07/2012 at 15:40:02
Welcome to Goodison Park, Steve. You will love it at The People's Club. Let's hope you're the first of a few signings so we can hit the ground running. We need new faces to freshen things up.
Philip Quilliam
23 Posted 04/07/2012 at 15:34:27
Trevor I agree with your last paragraph. It is excellent to get a bit of business done and dusted.
Let's hope that there is a bit more to be done and it is done quickly.
The big plus to me is that we haven't jumped at Naismith BECAUSE he is free, by all accounts DM has had him in his sights AND he was willing to pay for him, it must be a massive bonus for us.
Keith Glazzard
24 Posted 04/07/2012 at 15:50:58
Good news to have a decent prospect join us. 'Experts' in Glasgow said that Jelavic would struggle in England. Let's just wish Steven the best.

I think this is good news for my 'one last push' theory that Fellaini and Baines will do their best to stay (despite the money involved) because they think we have the players to have a good season.

Pienaar next?

Gavin Ramejkis
25 Posted 04/07/2012 at 16:13:34
Keith my Rangers mate really rated him and Jelavic pointing out Jelavic's goals dried up when Naismith got injured, it was the usual Sky pundits saying Jelavic would never make it in England.
David Barks
26 Posted 04/07/2012 at 16:52:39
Surely this can only be seen as good news. He is a good player and played really well together with Jelavic. Never bad to keep a partnership going. As for people thinking Pienaar will be staying at Spurs because of the new manager, all he said was he'll have to see if he's in that manager's plans. But last time I checked, Bale just signed an extension, so nothing is changing as far as Pienaar's opportunity there. They just signed Siguurdson, or however you spell his name, as well. Van der Vaart isn't going anywhere, nor is Lennon, and Modric could very likely stay. And this is without the new manager bringing in any players that he wants. If we can agree a price I still see it as very likely that Pienaar ends up back here. Sign up another player on a free like Rodallega and the Summer is looking quite good without spending much money at all yet.
George Blundell
27 Posted 04/07/2012 at 16:52:22
My mates a Rangers fan, and also a Villa fan (for his sins) - he reckoned that Jelavic wouldnt make it, and said that Naismith was the better player (when we first signed Jelavic). Would like to see Pjanjic next, as a left winger (Cant see us getting together Pienaar funds - 6months under Villas Boas and he will be available for half the price !)
Kevin Tully
28 Posted 04/07/2012 at 17:22:15
I nearly fell off the end of the chair when I turned Sky Sports News on this morning ! We have completed a signing and it's only July FFS.

Can't loose on this deal if his knees hold up. Good luck to the lad.

Colin Southern
29 Posted 04/07/2012 at 17:35:15
Naismith is a great bit of business there regardless what of Peter Barry (042), is suggesting. I'm sure HK1 picked up a few waifs and strays with SCOTTISH connections and I think we did OKAY!
Ray Roche
30 Posted 04/07/2012 at 17:46:13
Quite right, Colin, some of our best ever players have been Scottish. Young, Parker, Scott, Sharp, Gabriel ,Collins, Gray, even Ferguson and Gough, who was fantastic in his Indian Summer at Goodison.
David Chait
31 Posted 04/07/2012 at 18:16:22
That executioners bong is a good site! Good effort in analysis...
Dennis Stevens
32 Posted 04/07/2012 at 18:34:57
I'm assuming we're most likely to see Naismith deployed on the right with Osman moving across to fill in for the doubly-departed Pienaar.
Kevin Elliott
33 Posted 04/07/2012 at 19:13:58
Welcome Naisie
Phil Walling
34 Posted 04/07/2012 at 19:13:38
Dennis,he`ll struggle to get in on the right if Anichebe is available!
Joe McMahon
35 Posted 04/07/2012 at 19:41:31
Lets just hope he's good at defending corners!
Denis Richardson
36 Posted 04/07/2012 at 20:32:05
Its like a new signing!

Joke aside, finally some good news from Everton and a signing in July! Costs buttons so as long as he's better than Anichebe, Cahill (last 1.5 yrs) and Macfadden, I'll be happy.

Come on Davey, one down, funs just got started - who's next on the list?

Think the Rangers pot is now empty....

Colin Southern
37 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:02:20
...continuing on the Scottish nepotism theme, I heard we can also get the krankies on a free as they can play in a number of postions!
Peter Warren
38 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:08:21
This Rangers' chairman is getting on my tits. The players take a pay cut, will play in Division 1 of SPL at best and decide to move to EPL and get a big signing on fee. Of course they're going to move and why wouldn't they ????? Don't see how they're disloyal and I'd love someone to ask Mr Green why did he buy Rangers, because he felt sorry for them, no, cos he thought he'd buy a distressed asset cheaply, then sell players to make money. Tit
Si Cooper
39 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:17:40
What happened to the other lad, the right-back (Whittaker?)? Has he gone somewhere else or decided to stay put? Suppose right-back is not a priority but I thought he was highly rated. If he is still available we could take a chance that he is better than what we have and if he isn't we would sell him on in 12 months time? Should be able to recoup our outlay one way or the other.
Andrew Ellams
40 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:25:59
Whittaker has signed for Norwich, Si
Nick Waters
41 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:34:06
Colin, nice one - the Krankies could definitely do a job or two when playing away.
Mick Davies
42 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:50:38
Si Cooper @158, I have said for years that right back should be our priority. It is our weakest link. Hibbert is not good enough and even if Nev is allowed to play there, he is getting on a bit now. As for Naismith, we still don't have him yet. FIFA have to ratify the deal, and negotiate any compensation for Rangers before we can register him. If our Board is to be judged on it's previous, then this deal could still go tit's up
Mick Davies
43 Posted 04/07/2012 at 22:00:30
In addition to my above post, we could have a replacement RB on our books: Yobo. He plays there as his country's captain and with the hassle of trying to offload him, it wouldn't be a bad thing if Moyes were to try him for a few matches (this might even have the benefit of making Fenerbahce move at last, if they are really serious about buying him)
Gavin Ramejkis
44 Posted 04/07/2012 at 22:08:29
Mick, Yobo plays as a centre half for Nigeria
Stephen Kyle
45 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:55:37
Well done, Toffees.
Secondly, it's some fall from grace for my club Rangers, very sad. At one time or another we have had more than a full team of England internationalists. Also Laudrup, Gazza the DeBoers etc, etc. However, stiff upper lip – Naisey was better than Jelavic. Good luck to him. If he can stay fit, he should be a great signing for you, fingers crossed!

We got Trevor Steven from you and Davie Weir... but that's at least Duncan Disorderly, Arteta (via Spain), Gough, a heart-broken Gazza (loved Rangers) and now Jelavic and Naisey.
Naismith would have got a game in the great Rangers teams if on top form. Wenger had a look at him at Arsenal when a teenager.

Ian Bennett
46 Posted 04/07/2012 at 22:12:35
A decent signing, and as someone said if it goes wrong we sell for a profit. at 25 he has enough in the tank to prove a hit. Another good Moyes move it would seem under constrained finances.

I would like to see Hoillett/rodallega to provide some pace on the front right.

All quiet on yobo, let's get some cash in. Perhaps spurs would be interested with corluka, nelson, king and gallas? gone.

Kevin Elliott
47 Posted 04/07/2012 at 21:23:21
Peter .Your dead right ,Green is a first class knob.Typical yorkie"a say worra bloody well mean an a mean worra bloody well say".
Pity Walter and his consortium weren't successful.
Mark Riding
48 Posted 05/07/2012 at 00:38:15
Naismith is going to be Everton's Dirk Kuyt!
Martin Faulkner
49 Posted 05/07/2012 at 01:39:56
Should also take a look at their captain, Steven Davis and John Fleck for some more freebies
Dennis Stevens
50 Posted 05/07/2012 at 02:04:57
Chatting to a Rangers supporter the other day, they reckon the goalie's decent as well.
Jim Harrison
51 Posted 05/07/2012 at 04:24:17
I am pretty sure he was linked with Arsenal before he went to Rangers.
Peter Thistle
52 Posted 05/07/2012 at 06:16:55
I agree with Mick 165. It's been too long since we had a good right back. A half arsed decent tackler is not good enough for the premier league these days.
Our game would improve in leaps and bounds if we could attack down the right side instead of telegraphing it to the opposition with the left baines / pienarr thing. Seems Moyes doesn't prioritise it, has had years to see it but has focused on other areas.

As for Naismith he doesn't seem too impressive on paper but I hope his best years are ahead of him with Everton. Hopefully by playing with and against higher level players he will rise to it and excell. If he can help Jelly get more goals i'll be well happy.

Ian Bennett
53 Posted 05/07/2012 at 07:13:22
Martin - Fleck signed for Coventry, I thought we might go for him too.
Chris Fisher
54 Posted 05/07/2012 at 11:00:51
Peter Barry – In what way is he a player that no one wants?! There were a lot of clubs who wanted him but once he knew Everton wanted him he didn't even give the others a second look! You should be pleased instead of complaining about it! If you have seen him and Jelavic play together, you will know that this could turn out to be an excellent signing!
James Flynn
55 Posted 05/07/2012 at 16:11:05
Never heard of him before all this. What I really like, since searching around about the lad, is the repeated references to his work-ethic and how he's improved his play year after year. His knees hold up, expect good things from this signing.
Stuart Reid
56 Posted 05/07/2012 at 18:14:52
As a Scotsman from a family full of Rangers fans, including my brother, I watch quite a lot of Rangers and particularly Scotland matches. Naismith is a very good player, hard-working, pretty quick and gets in good positions. He's also a decent finisher - I particularly remember his diving header against Spain in Euro 2012 qualifying. Would be good up front or right wing, though my thought is Moyes will probably put him on the right to give us a bit more pace.

Rangers goalkeeper McGregor is excellent, better than Tim Howard in my opinion. He could probably play for the very top teams in the Premier League. Moyes might not like him as a character though but he is definitely worth signing.

Steven Davis would be worth a look.

My brother is just loving us signing all Rangers' best players, Jelavic, Naismith, we need more haha!

Jason Lam
57 Posted 06/07/2012 at 07:10:57
When do we submit the squad numbers to sky sports? Here's hoping Fellaini 'promotes' to a first XI number.

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