Everton signs former Crystal Palace winger Townsend

A veteran of nearly 250 Premier League appearances, Andros Townsend spent five seasons with Crystal Palace and is Everton's first signing under Rafa Benitez.

English winger Andros Townsend has joined Everton on a two-year deal after spending the last five seasons at fellow EPL club Crystal Palace. (FILE PHOTO)

Everton has signed Andros Townsend on a two-year deal after the winger's contract at fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace ended, the Merseyside outfit announced on Tuesday.

|@andros_townsend has signed for the Blues on a free transfer, penning a two-year contract.

— Everton (@Everton) July 20, 2021

 

A veteran of nearly 250 Premier League appearances with Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United, England international Townsend spent five seasons with Palace and is Everton's first signing under new manager Rafael Benitez.

"Everton is a massive football club and has big ambitions next season. As the old cliche goes, it was a no-brainer," Townsend, 30, told the Everton website.

"Rafa is very experienced. He does a lot of work on the tactical side on the training pitch, he leaves no stone unturned. He's a great man-manager and he's always talking to you. I'm sure he will be very successful here," he added.

Everton, which finished 10th last season, begins the new league campaign at home to Southampton on August 14.

Begovic joins toffees

In addition to Townsend, Everton also signed former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Begovic was a free agent after his contract with Championship side Bournemouth expired. The 34-year-old won the Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2016-17 season.

"The ambition is to get this club to where it belongs. We want to be challenging for those European spots, challenging for trophies and being in that upper echelon of the league," Begovic said.