Done deal: Eldin Jakupovic quits Everton, agrees one-year deal with LAFC
Eldin Jakupovic has agreed terms to quit Everton and join Los Angeles FC, the MLS club have confirmed on their Twitter handle (10 January).
The 38-year-old goalkeeper has joined the 2022 MLS Cup winners on a one-year deal, but the club will have the option to extend his stay until 2024.
He joined the Toffees last summer as a free agent, mainly as a back-up keeper behind Jordan Pickford and Asmir Begovic. He has left the club without playing a single game under Frank Lampard.
“Eldin Jakupović is Black & Gold. Los Angeles FC signs goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović to a one-year deal with a club option for 2024,” the club confirmed, via Twitter.
No harm done
His departure was inevitable and it isn’t a big loss for the club, if at all.
The January window is very crucial for the Toffees as Frank Lampard needs to add one or two players to boost their survival chances.
However, with the club operating on a tight budget, it will be really difficult for the Toffees to get the right profile of players.
The club should properly scout the loan market, but even then it’s not easy to get quality players on short-term deals in January.
The departure of Jakupovic didn’t harm the Toffees, but the reaction would be quite different if the player was Jordan Pickford.
The Toffees talisman has been outstanding for the club, but he is yet to sign a new deal at the club, which remains a worry.
Everton are struggling badly in the Premier League, and Lampard’s job is on the line.
If they fail to win against Southampton and West Ham in their next two games, the club could be forced to look for a new manager.