|
Everton have signed midfielder Gareth Barry on a three-year contract. Barry, who spent last season on loan at Goodison Park, becomes manager Roberto Martinez's first signing of the summer. The 33-year-old, whose contract with Manchester City expired at the end of June, played 37 times in all competitions for Everton during his loan spell. Martinez was prepared to sign Barry permanently in January as part of an attempt to bring former Evertonian Jack Rodwell back to the club on loan from City -- the proposed solution to getting round a rule that prevents more than one player from one Premier League club being on loan to another at the same time. But when the move for Rodwell fell through, Martinez decided to wait until the summer to try to sign up Barry permanently. Barry told Everton's official website: "I was really keen to get this sorted before the lads come back to training on Thursday. I'm delighted now that everything is signed and I'm going to be spending the next few years at Everton. "When you are on loan, it is never the same as being a signed player. I was really settled last year -- but now I am an official Everton player and it feels really good. From the moment I signed last year I settled in straight away. "There is a fantastic history here and it was brilliant working with the manager. I have learned so much from him, it is a great set of players and the fans were fantastic last year -- just everything about Everton feels right. The training ground, the facilities, the history -- there is so much that is positive about the club." Martinez told the Liverpool Echo on July 1 that he felt Barry was a "perfect fit" for Everton. The manager said: "Gareth is such a unique person, I have been so impressed and I think everyone at the club has taken to him. "For us he would be an important player for the future. But we respect him as a human being and we are going to accept whatever he decides. We will make sure that whatever happens, we are here to support him in every aspect. "Gareth and Everton are a perfect fit and the way he has been performing shows he has that footballing happiness. We all know what Gareth brings and how important that is." Barry began his career at Aston Villa, moving to Manchester City for 12 million pounds in June 2009. In September 2013, he became only the 10th player to make 500 Premier League appearances. The midfielder has won 53 England caps, but has not played for his country since May 2012.
|
