Silva joins Levski Sofia

Lyndon Lloyd , 10 July, 10comments | Jump to most recent

Unsettled Portuguese striker gets fresh opportunity

Everton have confirmed the departure of Reserve striker João Silva to Levski Sofia for a fee that is officially undisclosed but it is reported in Bulgaria to be €400,000.

The move ends two frustrating years for Silva at Everton where he failed to make the grade despite being regarded as one of Portugal's brightest young talents.

The 22-year-old, originally signed from Desportivo Das Aves in June 2010, spent a spell on loan back in Portugal last season with Vitoria FC and had hoped to get an offer from Vitoria Guimaraes this summer.

Instead, he links up with compatriots Nuno Pinto and Cristovao Ramos at Levski and will turn out for his new side in a friendly with 1.SC-Sollenau in Lindabrunn, Austria this weekend.

Additional information provided by Stefan Tosev

Quotes or other material sourced from Everton FC

Reader Comments (10)

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Paul David
1 Posted 10/07/2012 at 19:31:26

Whatever he went for, I can't see it being much... so I hope we get a chunk of any future transfer.

Chris James
2 Posted 10/07/2012 at 20:21:15

Good business all round that I think. Best of luck to the young lad and let's hope the €400k goes a little closer towards bringing Pienaar in. Yobo (finally) out next?

Russell Buckley
3 Posted 10/07/2012 at 23:25:37

Only saw him play a tiny bit and he look ok without looking amazing. Wasn't going to be the answer we were looking for but good luck to him.

Does anyone remember how much we paid for him? Does the rumoured 400,000 mean we made a profit?

Peanuts is high on the wanted list but if Yobo is still on the books there is something wrong.

Timothy Liu
4 Posted 11/07/2012 at 00:42:59

Well the Pienaar deal is most likely not going to happen until the funds have been raised. This is a step in the right direction. Also didn't Daniel Pranjic say he was on his way here?

Next case: Joseph Yobo

Our perfect summer would be Pienaar and Donovan and a right-back, plus any smart free transfers.

Brian Waring
5 Posted 11/07/2012 at 12:31:50

Looking Silva's transfer up, the fee was undisclosed, but was rumoured to be around £500k.

Colin Potter
6 Posted 11/07/2012 at 17:12:47

If you are right Brian, that means we've lost more money on him.

Jeremy Benson
7 Posted 11/07/2012 at 17:20:24

Who knows whether we have made or lost any money on him. We've obviously been paying his wages for 2 years (although may have been a contribution from his loans), so that'll be a fair whack.

However, its probably also likely that when we originally bought him there would be a clause of a chunk of future transfer for him to the original selling club for one so young, so thats bound to be some more gone from the €400k or whatever it is, for that too. And of course we've probably put a clause in for future transfer...

We'll never know...

Stefan Tosev
8 Posted 11/07/2012 at 17:43:14

@Jeremy Benson

Everton have 20% on the profit.

Jimmy Sørheim
9 Posted 11/07/2012 at 21:35:24

I think it was smart to move him on, now Everton needs to step it up by publicly decalring Yobo for sale, and get other clubs involved because Fenerbache has spilled their chance to get him.
Hardball with them and they will need to pay, if they then refuse then he needs to prepare for us in pre-season.
Play Yobo in some friendlies and perhaps other clubs will come for him.

Silva was a talent but he was given time but he failed to show himself as being good enough for Everton.
Too many strikers has gone away during the last year or so, the only alternative to Jelavic is Vellios, Naismith will tied up with Rangers and unless we pay them compensation then only Vellios is left to cover for Jelly.

I think Moyes has done right in getting rid of Silva, but we need a back-up striker for Jelavic, during a long season we need at least two real strikers, we have one, but are missing another.
I have faith in Vellios and I think he will turn out a very decent striker, but he needs at least another season before he can cope with the role as back-up striker.

Pienaar remains our top priority despite all this, and time is running away.
I feel we only have the squad to reach 8th at this moment, Pienaar and a right winger like Donovan will be needed if we are to have a chance at getting back into Europe.

James Newcombe
10 Posted 12/07/2012 at 12:53:58

Jimmy, we already have back up for Jelavic / Velios: Anichebe! I would say that more options at Right Back and Right Midfield should be the priority - after we sign Pienaar - but that has been the case for a couple of years now, so I won't hold my breath!

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