Joao Virginia exit;Everton backup goalkeeper has signed permanent deal contract with dream club

Everton have a number of players whose contracts will be expiring come the end of the season.

With David Moyes in charge and expected to have a major say on the ins and outs over the coming months, talks will take place over the future of some of the first-team players.

The Friedkin Group are also expected to back the Scotsman handsomely this summer.

Joao Virginia reveals desire to play in Spain

Joao Virginia, Everton’s 25-year-old backup goalkeeper, has made it abundantly clear that he’s eager to leave the club in pursuit of regular first-team football.

With his contract expiring this summer, he’s free to negotiate with other teams and his comments about La Liga – where he admires the culture and sees it as “like coming home” – signal his intent to move on.

He told Estadio Deportivo: “As a player, my ambition isn’t to be a second-choice for long, but that’s the reality I have at Everton.

The Spanish league is a league I love. Maybe one day playing there would be an excellent option for me, but it’s too early to talk; we have to see what happens in the market. I love Spain, its culture, and it would be like coming home.”

Competition (2024/25) Appearances

Premier League 0

Carabao Cup 1

FA Cup 1

Behind Jordan Pickford, the club’s established No.1, Virginia has been starved of minutes, a situation he’s openly unwilling to prolong.

He’s emphasised that playing time is critical for his development and his ultimate goal of breaking into Portugal’s senior national team.

His experience on loan at clubs like Sporting Lisbon and in the Championship and Netherlands has only reinforced his hunger for a starring role elsewhere.

Everton must begin to look for a backup goalkeeper to sign this summer