Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha jr. to join Everton

The long-standing mystery surrounding Slovak national team goalkeeper Jan Mucha jr.’s transfer has been resolved. Despite efforts by his agent Jozef Tokos, Legia Warsaw, and Mucha himself to keep the move secret, the English newspaper The Times revealed that the 27-year-old will join Premier League side FC Everton. The signing took place during Legia’s training camp in Malaga, following successful medical tests, with a three-year contract agreed.

Mucha, born in Belá nad Cirochou and developed at Humenné, enjoyed successful spells at Inter Bratislava, MŠK Žilina, and Legia Warsaw, where he matured into a goalkeeper of world-class quality. He will complete the current season in Poland before moving permanently to Goodison Park after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

At Everton, American Tim Howard is currently the first-choice goalkeeper. Young goalkeepers Iain Turner and John Ruddy have not met expectations, and veteran Carlo Nash is nearing the end of his career. Mucha’s arrival introduces strong competition for Howard, who may face the possibility of losing his starting spot if the Slovak is in top form. Interest in Mucha surged after Slovakia’s successful World Cup qualification. Several clubs, including Glasgow Rangers, Trabzonspor, Espanyol Barcelona, and English sides Stoke City, Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal, reportedly pursued him, but Everton ultimately secured his signature.