Everton confirm £25million record signing of Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

EVERTON have confirmed the £25million signing of Jordan Pickford from Sunderland.

The Toffees have shelled-out a club-record fee for the stopper to make him Britain's most expensive goalkeeper in the world.

As SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday, Merseyside officials travelled to the England Under-21s training camp in Poland last night to put the stopper through a medical.

And having successfully passed that, Pickford has now penned a five-year deal at the club.

The fee for the 23-year-old could rise to £30 depending on team and individual performances.

Speaking to the , Pickford said: “It’s great to sign for the club. Last season was my first in the Premier League so to get this opportunity with Everton now, to be able to go forward with my career and show everyone what I can do with Everton is unbelievable.

“It’s a great club, a massive club and I think it’s a great opportunity and the right time for me to come to Everton and show what I can do.

“This is an exciting time for the club and for me, too, with the ambition being shown. I just want to be the best I can be to help.

“I know Mason (Holgate – his England Under-21 teammate) and a few of the other lads at Everton from younger age groups and the club’s only going forward, so it’s the best thing I can be doing.

“I remember playing (at Everton) on my first game back from injury last season for Sunderland.

“When I came out for the second half the fans gave me a clap and applauded then so I can’t wait to get out there on the pitch at Goodison.

“I’ve just got to show people what I can do, keep training and working hard and when it comes to game day, produce what I can do - making match-winning saves, showing what my distribution is like and making the right saves at the right times.”

His new boss Ronald Koeman was delighted to finally get his man.

The Dutchman said: “Jordan is a very talented young professional who also has a real hunger for success, and that's important for us as we now look to make further progress in the seasons ahead.

“We've seen the quality he has through his performances in the Premier League last season and, given his young age, we're sure he will get even better.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Jordan to the group next month and wish him every success with the England Under-21 squad in Poland.”

Pickford only made his debut for Sunderland in January 2016, but now he has departed his boyhood club, he has his sights set on breaking into the England senior squad.

“I’ve got the Under-21s tournament now, which is massive for me and the group of lads I’m with.

“Hopefully I can be the best I can be and it can put me in good stead for next season to try to get into the senior team.”