Everton reserve goalkeeper Joao Virginia has agreed a new 2-year contract with the club.
The young Portuguese stopper spent last season on loan in the Dutch league with SC Cambuur but could now get the chance to vie with veteran Andy Lonergan, who agreed to a contract extension last week, for the number two spot behind Jordan Pickford.
Asmir Begovic left the club last month at the end of his contract having turned down fresh terms to remain at Goodison Park but it is unclear if the Blues are in the market for a more experienced back-up.
Everton signed Virginia from Arsenal's academy in August 2018 and he was a fixture for what was then the Under-23s before going out on a series of loans at Reading, Sporting Lisbon, and Cambuur.
To date he has made just three first-team appearances for the Toffees, one in each of the Premier League, EFL Cup and FA Cup, with his display in the last game a valiant one as he kept Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at bay for three quarters of the game before two late goals put the Citizens through.
Reader Comments (29)
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2 Posted 09/07/2023 at 13:07:58
3 Posted 09/07/2023 at 14:48:05
4 Posted 09/07/2023 at 14:53:06
I simply cannot.
5 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:02:35
6 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:09:49
Still a young keeper, and decent experience for his age. Hopefully good enough for the no-hope cups and saves buying another grandad to add £20-40k a week to bill for no reason.
7 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:42:13
However, my opinion is that it would be a big risk to rely on him and Lonergan if Pickford were to be out for an extended period of time (knocking on wood).
8 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:49:44
9 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:50:42
10 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:53:56
This past March I put this in the ToffeeWeb LoanWatch thread.
"Played his last game on 21 January. After which the manager said, “He has made too many of the same kinds of mistakes in recent weeks, which made the team restless.†Not good. Hasn't played since. One year left on his contract, the club will have to find someone somewhere to take Joao on loan for his last season with us. He's 24 come October and will never be big-league quality."
And he didn't play any games after March, either.
I'll stick with my opinions, then and now.
If he's going to be our #2 keeper, I pray that Pickford doesn't get injured.
11 Posted 09/07/2023 at 15:57:19
12 Posted 09/07/2023 at 16:31:07
13 Posted 09/07/2023 at 17:21:32
14 Posted 09/07/2023 at 17:46:49
I've criticized Pickford in the past but his work and improvement have been magnificent. I think he will go to Man Utd. If he should decide to stay it would be huge for our club and a testament that there is some integrity still around.
I doubt that our current guardians will fight too hard to keep him.
15 Posted 09/07/2023 at 18:49:46
16 Posted 09/07/2023 at 19:01:28
17 Posted 09/07/2023 at 19:02:49
18 Posted 09/07/2023 at 19:29:38
I find it hard to judge keepers unless I've seen them play (and be tested) for a few seasons.
It's an easy option if other youth keepers can't step- up. He looked decent in the few games I've seen him play. Good luck to him.
19 Posted 09/07/2023 at 20:13:16
20 Posted 09/07/2023 at 20:26:08
But if there's a plan to sell Pickford, I'll be worried.
21 Posted 09/07/2023 at 23:37:30
I may be the only one but couldn't care less if the season started in 6 months time. Probably the lowest pre season I have felt about my club. Pickford saved us points last season to stay up. If he goes? I do fear we are done. We will have not one solid player in the spine of the team. The club cannot compete in the transfer market and really why would you come?
All we can do is keep marching on together and hopefully that's enough to stay up!
22 Posted 10/07/2023 at 09:05:27
23 Posted 10/07/2023 at 10:24:38
Bigger fish to fry in our current state.
24 Posted 10/07/2023 at 10:51:11
25 Posted 10/07/2023 at 11:53:35
I accept that we will be trading in the bargain basement and a couple of loans, but there are deals going on behind the scenes that probably hinge on one deal elsewhere occurring, freeing up other players in our price range.
I can see us bringing in players on the last day of the transfer window, as usual.
My real concern is that Kenwright is still with us, poking his nose in, dining with his mates, doing deals behind Dyche's and Thelwell's backs. Until he goes, we are where we are.
I have faith in Dyche and he will hopefully get it right, and we will see progress this season. Top half is best we can hope for, for now. 8th should be the target, and bolster in the January window.
I await the missiles that follow!
Ever the optimist, been an Evertonian since 1964.
26 Posted 10/07/2023 at 13:55:47
This: "I have faith in Dyche and he will hopefully get it right, and we will see progress this season. Top half is best we can hope for, for now. 8th should be the target, and bolster in the January window."
For this next season, that's a reasonable target. Pretty aggressive one really.
Good stuff.
27 Posted 10/07/2023 at 14:49:14
28 Posted 10/07/2023 at 21:23:41
Thanks for your comments, if I had a wish, what I said would be realised!
Thanks again.
Ever the optimist!!!
29 Posted 11/07/2023 at 04:50:52
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1 Posted 09/07/2023 at 12:32:07
Presumably our Number 2 now so fingers crossed he can do the business.