Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha jr. to join Everton from July

According to Polish newspaper Przegląd Sportowy, Slovak national team goalkeeper Jan Mucha jr. will leave Legia Warsaw at the end of June and will become an Everton player from July 1, facing competition for the number-one spot with American goalkeeper Tim Howard. Legia, the Polish runners-up, will not receive any transfer fee.

“I knew I wouldn’t leave for free, but the reality was that no one wanted to pay for me. I had to make a decision, and I did. I thank Legia for the excellent offer they made me, I really appreciate it. I will do everything to leave the club on good terms,” Mucha told the newspaper.

Mucha joined Legia before the 2005/2006 season for €50,000 and made his debut in a cup match against KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, appearing in his first league match in 2006. He played 113 games for Legia, winning the Polish Cup and Super Cup, and was named both the best goalkeeper and the best player of the club in the Ekstraklasa last season.

Interest in Mucha has been high across Europe, with over thirty clubs reportedly contacting his agent, Jozef Tokos. Mucha received offers from several top European clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham, and Turkish side Trabzonspor, which reportedly offered €1 million net. In the end, he chose Everton, citing sporting reasons over financial ones.

Przegląd Sportowy notes that Mucha’s position in Legia remains secure until the end of the season. Coach Krzysztof Dowhań has promised he will continue to play, allowing him to maintain his spot in the Slovak national team ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. Legia president Leszek Miklas confirmed that Mucha will remain the club’s first-choice goalkeeper as long as he maintains his current form.