Everton have finalized the acquisition of Oxford United goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley on a two-year contract, according to a club statement.
On Tuesday (5 September), the Toffees announced on their website that the 18-year-old will leave Oxford to join the under-21s at Goodison Park.
Last season, he was instrumental in leading his team to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.
Excellent move.
Everton also has to focus on youth recruitment, and it’s encouraging to see them hire a talented young goalkeeper.
He’s already showed a lot of promise at the age of 18, and if he continues to improve at the same rate over the next two or three years, he has a decent chance of getting a senior call-up.
This season, it appears like the Toffees will keep him rather than loan him out, but he could be sent out next summer to obtain senior minutes.
He’s still a teenager, so under-21s football would suit him, and if he shines in the league, they may consider taking him to the next level.
Barnsley adds in an interview that his finest attribute is his shot stopping, and it’s critical that he learns the value of playing out from the back at a young age.
Jordan Pickford is an excellent example of a goalkeeper with good feet, and he may be able to offer him some words of encouragement.
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