Virginia training with Sporting after Everton exit, official announcement on Tuesday
Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Virginia is already training with his new Sporting Lisbon teammates after arriving from Everton, according to Record.
Both clubs have agreed to terms of a loan deal for the 21-year-old which can be made permanent for £3million at the end of the season, but an official announcement is yet to be made, with one slated for Tuesday.
Sporting players have a day off today (Monday) from training, and Virginia is set to return tomorrow and complete his move officially.
Goodbye
With Everton adding Asmir Begovic and recently Andy Lonergan to the goalkeeping department, it all but spelt the end of Virginia’s career on Merseyside.
While the former Arsenal academy shot-stopper made three senior appearances last term, he was not in manager Rafa Benitez’s plans from the moment the Spaniard arrived at Goodison Park.
It is safe to say that we have seen the last of the youngster in the Toffees shirt and he will now look to establish himself with the Portuguese giants.
Virginia will be competing with Antonio Adan at Sporting, and he will fancy his chances against the 34-year-old Spaniard and could eventually become his long-term successor.
Everton are well-stocked in the goalkeeping department right now, and the Portuguese is just unfortunate to have been part of our set-up at the moment.
Virginia was so eager to link up with his new teammates that he could not wait for the club to officially announce his arrival, and we will be keeping tabs on his progress going forward.
In other Everton news, Rafa sees int’l sensation as ‘Perfect choice’ for Toffees, multi-million bid lodged.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.